Florida football is right around the corner, with fall camp set to begin on Aug. 5. Gator Country’s roster preview series continues with a look at running back room. If you missed it, be sure to check out our tight end room preview.
The Gators have eight running backs on the roster, five of whom are scholarship players.
Jr. Jadan Baugh
Jadan Baugh is widely regarded as one of the best running backs in college football heading into the 2026 season after rushing for 1,843 yards and 15 touchdowns over his first two seasons at Florida. Pro Football Focus ranks him as the No. 37 overall player and No. 4 running back entering the season.
The 6-foot-1, 231-pound back is elusive despite his size. He thrives between the tackles thanks to elite contact balance that allows him to pick up extra yards after contact. Baugh is a patient runner with good vision and acceleration through the line of scrimmage. Improving his explosiveness would help elevate his game even further, but he’s arguably Florida’s best player and will be used accordingly.
Florida’s coaching staff plans to involve him more in the passing game, believing he can be a weapon as a receiver. Don’t be surprised if the Gators also incorporate a few Wildcat packages featuring Baugh in 2026.
After rushing for 1,170 yards last season, Baugh has the opportunity to become the first player in Florida history to record consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
R-Fr. Duke Clark
Redshirt freshman running back Duke Clark is one of the most underrated players on Florida’s 2026 roster. He logged just 15 carries for 58 yards as a freshman but put together a strong performance in Florida’s upset win against Texas, rushing nine times for 38 yards while spelling Jadan Baugh.
The 6-foot-2, 202-pound back showed noticeable improvement in his explosiveness this offseason, displaying a combination of acceleration, power, and breakaway speed. He’s a tough runner between the tackles and a legitimate home-run threat.
R-Sr. Evan Pryor
Looking to bolster its depth, Florida added Cincinnati running back Evan Pryor, who rushed for 940 yards and nine rushing touchdowns on an impressive 7.1 yards per carry across two seasons with the Bearcats. 18 of Pryor’s 76 rushing attempts in 2025 went for 10 or more yards, the second most in the country among running backs with less than under 100 attempts.
Pryor suffered a torn patellar tendon in 2022, which certainly limited his development. However, the North Carolina native has put together back-to-back productive seasons as part of a running back committee after transferring from Ohio State.
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound running back is at his best when he gets to the perimeter or reaches the second level, where he can showcase his open-field speed. Pryor is light on his feet, making defenders miss with his quickness and elusiveness. He’s also shown the ability to be an effective pass catcher.
R-Fr. Bryon Louis
Back for his second season in Gainesville, Bryon Louis logged just two carries during his freshman campaign. Louis didn’t arrive on campus until after spring camp during his first year, which made it difficult for him to find playing time in a crowded running back room.
It’s crowded once again, but the 6-foot-0, 198-pound running back has been praised by Florida’s new staff for his power running style and goal-line ability. He reportedly flashed several times throughout spring practice.
R-Jr. London Montgomery
London Montgomery brings more experience to Florida’s already loaded backfield. Montgomery began his collegiate career at Penn State in 2023, redshirting without appearing in a game. He transferred to East Carolina in 2024, where he rushed for 359 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Montgomery led the Pirates in rushing in 2025, totaling 742 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
Graded as East Carolina’s fourth-best offensive player by Pro Football Focus, Montgomery averaged 2.78 yards after contact, forced 22 missed tackles, and recorded seven runs of 15 or more yards.
The 5-foot-11, 197-pound back also brings experience in the return game, totaling 114 yards on five kickoff returns in 2025, including a long of 53 yards.
Others: Florida has a trio of walk on / preferred walk on running backs in Brian Case, Anthony Rubio, and Kelvin Jimenez.
Final thoughts
The combination of star talent and depth makes Florida’s running back room the best unit on the roster. Baugh should challenge for 1,500 yards if he stays healthy, while Duke Clark, Evan Pryor, and others provide plenty of upside as complementary options capable of spelling Baugh.
Florida utilized two-running-back sets during spring camp, which could create opportunities for the rest of the backs without taking touches away from Baugh. The Gators also have receiving talent within this group, providing another wrinkle that should be featured more often in 2026.