Jadan Baugh Gator Chomps after one of his five rushing touchdowns in the win over Kentucky. (Photo: Jordan Herald/UAA Communications)
Run The Baugh!: Gators Freshman Tailback No Longer an Unknown
Thursday, October 31, 2024 | Football
Share:
By: Asia Horton, UAA Communications
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — If you've seen the hashtag on social media or heard the chant of "Run the Baugh!" echoing through The Swamp, you know something special is happening with Jadan Baugh.
Florida's freshman running back is not just bursting into the end zone — he's running straight into the hearts of Gator fans. But how did a kid with dreams bigger than Decatur, Ga., find himself in Orange and Blue on Saturdays?
Well, we may have Matt Napier to thank for that.
Baugh's journey to Florida wasn't a straight shot — more like a zigzag route on the field dodging would-be tacklers. He initially committed to Arkansas, only later to reopen his recruitment, sparking a race between Alabama and Florida to land the young talent.
Sometimes, it only takes one game to turn heads, even on the recruiting trail. After a preseason scrimmage against Baugh's team in August 2023, LaGrange (Ga.) High School head coach Matt Napier called his brother, Gators head coach Billy Napier.
Little brother had a tip.
"Hey, you need to get on that Jadan Baugh guy," Matt said.
The Gators turned up the heat, shifting their recruitment of Baugh into high gear.
Teammates congratulate running back Jadan Baugh after one of his school-record-tying five rushing touchdowns against Kentucky. (Photo: Jordan Herald/UAA Communications)
As Florida fans learned 14 months later on a cool late October night, that call might have been one of the most important the Gators have taken under Napier. Florida's coaching staff didn't waste any time diving into full-recruitment mode with the energy you'd expect from a fourth-quarter comeback.
Baugh wasn't just a talent on the field in Napier's eyes. His athleticism extended to basketball, where he played point guard and was wrapped by a grounded, supportive family.
"He's the right kind. You take that one every time," Napier said.
However, for Baugh, it wasn't just about the bright lights of the Southeastern Conference or the allure of playing for a prestigious program; it was about taking care of his family and finding a place where he felt truly valued.
One of the most significant factors in his decision was the bond he developed with running backs coach Jabbar Juluke, who treated him like a son. Juluke's influence extended beyond the game's X's and O's.
Juluke showed genuine care for Baugh away from the field. It's not every day you find a coach who pushes you at practice and isn't hesitant to hug you afterward.
It all clicked on the day he got the call from Juluke. While we don't know every detail of their conversations during the recruiting process, Baugh walked away with clarity. Juluke reassured him that Florida would take care of him and his family, a game-changer for Baugh, especially considering the four-hour distance from his home in the Atlanta area.
Being away from his brothers was a big concern, but Juluke clarified that he was recruiting a player and a whole family into the Gators' fold. With that kind of support behind him, leaping to Gainesville was a no-brainer.
"That played a big part,'' Baugh said. "That really sealed the deal for me."
In his breakout performance against Kentucky, Baugh took the field with a thrilling twist: for the first time in Florida's history, a true freshman quarterback (DJ Lagway) and running back (Baugh) started in the same game.
The pairing wasn't just a coincidence — it was all part of Napier's vision from the beginning.
"Man, do I," Baugh recalled when asked if he remembered that conversation. "I knew that DJ was here, too. It kind of gave me more confidence that I wanted to be here, too."
Lagway, poised and ready, commanded the offense while Baugh electrified the Swamp with his dynamic play. The air was thick with anticipation as fans buzzed, knowing they were witnessing a moment that found a home in the school record books as Baugh tied Tim Tebow and Trey Burton for Florida's single-game record with five rushing touchdowns.
Baugh's explosive running style complimented Lagway's downfield playmaking, creating a perfect storm for Kentucky's defense. As he danced through defenders and found the end zone, Baugh made history and ignited a sense of hope for fans.
"Ever since the first time I saw him, I was just surprised that it was even possible for a running back to look like that,'' said backup transfer quarterback Aidan Warner, Baugh's roommate before the Kentucky game. "Coming from Yale, the running backs didn't look like he did."
Jadan Baugh rushed for 106 yards in the Kentucky win. (Photo: Jordan Herald/UAA Communications)
The partnership between the two true freshmen represented perhaps a new era for the Gators, where youth and talent collided to create unforgettable moments on the field. With every touchdown, they weren't just writing their names in record books but laying the foundation for a bright future for Florida football.
As the Gators gear up for their highly anticipated rivalry game against Georgia, Baugh's no longer a secret on the sideline. Following his standout performance against Kentucky, the stage is set for him to significantly impact one of college football's biggest stages, with starting tailback Montrell Johnson Jr. listed as questionable.
Baugh's talent has long been recognized, dating back to his ninth-grade year when he attended a 7-on-7 camp hosted by Georgia. Back then, he was just a kid with dreams, competing in a sea of aspiring athletes.
Fast forward to today, and he's trading his camp jersey for a Florida uniform, ready to take on the same program he once hoped to impress. It's a full-circle moment — like going from the practice field to the spotlight, but this time, he's not just there to participate; he's there to compete.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has already taken notice of Baugh and is sharing praise for the young athlete.
"He's explosive, he's twitchy, hard to tackle. He runs physical," Smart said.
With the Gators set to face their hated rivals in Jacksonville, the message is clear: "Run the Baugh!"
