The Florida Gators have not had issues with the running back position under assistant coach Jabbar Juluke’s guidance, and the unit is expected to be a strength once again in 2025. Montrell Johnson, Florida’s leading rusher in 2022 and 2023, is the room’s only significant departure as he seeks a career in the NFL. Johnson suffered multiple injuries in 2024 but still ran for 593 yards and six scores on a team high 5.9 yards per carry. The Gators return four running backs and welcome three from the high school ranks.
Gator Country provides our spring camp preview of the running back position.
So. Jadan Baugh
Florida’s leading rusher from last season was none other than Freshman All-SEC running back Jadan Baugh, who is back in Gainesville for his second season at UF. The 6’1, 227 pound back totaled 673 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 5.1 yards per carry.
Baugh’s rookie campaign was highlighted by five rushing touchdowns vs Kentucky, which tied the program record alongside Trey Burton (2010) and Tim Tebow (2007). Baugh added a season high 106 rushing yards on 22 attempts vs the Wildcats. Four weeks later, Baugh helped ice Florida’s victory over No.22 LSU with his season long 55-yard touchdown run late in the 4th quarter.
Baugh’s big frame and elusiveness make him tough to bring down. The Atlanta, Georgia native averaged 2.86 yards after contact last season, ranking 7th among running backs in the SEC, according to SEC Stat Cat. He also posted a broken tackle rate of 33.16%, which ranked 3rd in the SEC among running backs. The rookie also ranked in the top ten in success rate and explosive play percentage in the league.
The only thing missing from Baugh’s game is true breakaway speed, although he moves really well for a running back of his size. He makes up for his lack of straight-line speed with great vision and horizontal movement. Baugh is a three down running back given his willingness as a pass blocker.
Baugh graded as Florida’s 2nd best offensive player behind All-American center Jake Slaughter, according to Pro Football Focus.
R-Sr. Ja’Kobi Jackson
The veteran back in the room is Ja’Kobi Jackson, and even he only has 95 carries in the SEC. Jackson transferred to UF in 2023 after spending three seasons at the JUCO level. Jackson did not appear in a game in 2023 but posted a breakout season in 2024, rushing for 509 yards and seven touchdowns on 5.4 yards per carry. The 5’11, 209 pound running back also caught seven passes for 76 yards out of the backfield.
Jackson’s best stretch of play came in consecutive weeks against a trio of ranked teams, two of which held top ranked defenses in 2024. Versus Georgia, Texas, and LSU combined, Jackson rushed for 227 yards on 37 carries, an average of 6.1 yards per carry. Jackson scored one touchdown in each of those contests.
The Pensacola, Florida native was UF’s best running back at creating yards after contact a year ago, but didn’t have the minimum rush attempts to rank in the SEC. According to PFF, Jackson averaged 3.46 yards after contact while Baugh averaged 3.21. Those numbers are slightly different than SEC Stat Cat’s, who I referenced earlier. But both services show that Jackson was slightly better than Baugh in yards after contact.
Jackson provides a nice change of pace in Florida’s backfield due to his straight-line speed. Ironically, Jackson’s season long run was just 20 yards compared to Baugh’s long of 55. However, Jackson posted a negative rush rate of just 5.53, far and away the lowest on the Gators. The speedy back had plenty of 10+ yard runs, which helped post a success rate of 53.26, the highest on the Gators among running backs with 25+ carries.
Jackson and Baugh should provide a great 1-2 punch for the Gators in 2025.
R-So. Treyaun Webb
Webb’s sophomore season was cut short due to a fractured tibia that eventually required surgery. Webb was on pace to have a much more productive second season, running the ball 21 times for 93 yards and a touchdown in four games. As a freshman in 2023, Webb served as Florida’s third back, running for 163 yards and two scores.
The Jacksonville, Florida native is the cousin of former Gator Dee Webb, who played at UF from 2003-05 and was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2006. It’s unclear whether Webb will be a full participant in spring camp.
R-Fr. KD Daniels
Rising second year running back KD Daniels appeared in four games in his rookie campaign including Florida’s bowl game vs Tulane. Against the Green Wave, Daniels posted a season-high 55 rushing yards on five carries while scoring his first-career touchdown on a 25-yard run after a fumbled snap.
The bowl game was our first real look at Daniels as he posted just six carries and 22 rushing yards in the regular season, serving as Florida’s 5th running back in 2024. The 5’11, 197 pound back has elite speed and could carve out a role next season with a solid spring camp.
Fr. Waltez Clark
Clark was the first commit of the Gators 2025 class, pledging to UF back in September of 2023 before singing on ESD. The Tampa native recorded 1,737 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns in three years at the varsity level, averaging 7.7 yards per carry. He also accounted for 1,326 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns through the air. Clark is a polished receiver and could see time as a special teamer in 2025 given his track speed. Clark is on campus for spring ball.
Fr. Bryon Louis
Bryon Louis was one of 10 prospects the Gators managed to flip beginning in November. The former FSU commit played at the varsity level throughout his entire career at American Heritage, totaling 3,345 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns while averaging 7.6 yards a carry. Byron Louis also recorded 327 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in 42 games played. Florida’s staff likes Louis and thinks he can play early, but Louis isn’t on campus for the spring semester which will hurt his chances of finding playing time in 2025.
Fr. Chad Gasper
Texas native Chad Gasper signed with Florida and enrolled in the spring semester but is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered during his senior season at Katy Jordan High School. The 5-10, 200-pound running back totaled 1,566 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns to go along with 459 receiving yards and two touchdowns through the air. Gasper accounted for 1,163 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns during his sophomore and junior seasons.
Projected depth chart
RB1: Jadan Baugh or Ja’Kobi Jackson
RB2: Treyaun Webb or KD Daniels
RB3: Waltez Clark or Bryon Louis