Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh has been named SEC Freshman of the week, the conference announced on Monday. The recognition follows his historic performance against Kentucky, in which he scored five rushing touchdowns, tying a program record set by Tim Tebow (2007, vs. South Carolina) and Trey Burton (2010, vs. Kentucky).
Baugh, making his first career start, ran for 106 yards on 22 carries. He became this first true freshman running back for the Gators with multiple rushing TDs in a game since Malik Davis on Sept. 30, 2017 vs. Vanderbilt (two). He is the first Gator to earn a SEC Freshman of the week honor since Arlis Boardingham earned the nod last season after Florida’s contest with Vanderbilt on October 7, 2023.
With senior running back Montrell Johnson sidelined with an injury, Baugh got his chance to shine, and he didn’t disappoint.
“Hats off to Montrell, because he brought me in and put his arms around me and told me like I’m a good player but I got to keep working,” Baugh said on Johnson. “So him being the leader in that room just makes me better, and the rest of the guys around me better, too.”
“He told me like I got to improve on maturing, practicing better,” Baugh said on Johnson’s message to him. “That’s what all my coaches tell me that, too. I got to practice better and that will lead me to the steps I’m taking now.”
Baugh recorded three explosive plays vs Kentucky, including rushes of 10, 16, and 27 yards. The freshman gives credit to Florida’s defense and offensive line, who put together one of their better performances of the 2024 season.
“Gives me confidence, but also gives my team, too,” Baugh said on his performance. “We know we could have been did this as an offense and a defense. Like the defense played great today. That gave us the opportunity on offense to do what we did today.”
“It gave my more confidence in my O-line. They played great today,” Baugh added.
Prior to week eight, Baugh had just 31 carries for 153 yards across six games, serving as Florida’s 3rd or 4th string running back until a series of injuries in the RB room. Despite the lack of playing time, Baugh wasn’t nervous to take over as Florida’s starting running back in week eight.
“Wasn’t really butterflies because Coach Juluke, he always tells us if somebody goes down, next man has to be up and we have to be ready,” Baugh said. “He coaches us hard, so it makes us better. From the littlest guy in the room to the strongest he makes us better.”
The 6’1, 227 pound running back has a rare blend of size and speed. His unique acceleration and cutting ability were put on display vs Kentucky.
“Just been stuff I’ve been working on since I was little,” Baugh said on his skillset. “My pops instilled it in me early. It’s just secondhand nature really.”
Baugh is also far ahead of the learning curve when it comes to pass protection. His ability to identity blitzers and get in the proper position is a valuable tool for a football team, and something NFL teams look for when evaluating running backs. Baugh grades as Florida’s best running back in pass blocking, according to Pro Football Focus.
“I improved a lot as in reading, knowing who to block, where to be, and that’s helping me more,” Baugh said on his improvement in pass protection. “It comes from my coaches. Like my coaches, they teach me a lot, and I have just kept them skills they taught me to prove it today.”
Baugh’s PFF grade of 78.6 vs Kentucky ranked as the 4th highest among true freshman in college football. Leading the list? QB DJ Lagway. Baugh has earned the right to see an increase in touches even after Montrell Johnson returns from injury.