Gators Sign Former Razorbacks RB Pledge Jadan Baugh
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Running back prospect Jadan Baugh is officially a Gator.
In a battle that boiled down to the Florida Gators and Alabama Crimson Tide, the former Arkansas pledge put pen to paper on his National Letter of Intent with UF on Early National Signing Day.
The uber-productive Columbia High School back had been committed to the Razorbacks since May.
However, following a senior campaign in which he totaled 1,583 yards and 19 scores on 113 carries to pair with 28 receptions, 531 yards and six touchdowns, he began to draw interest from several other powerhouse schools.
He remained tied to Sam Pittman and Co. amid the surge in his recruitment but kept an open ear for other prospective suitors. Florida and Alabama eventually aligned as the two he flirted with down the stretch.
Officially decommitting from Arkansas on Monday, Baugh solidified his recruitment as a two-team battle between the Billy Napier-led Gators and Nick Saban-led Crimson Tide.
He took an official visit to both during December, forging strong bonds with Jabbar Juluke and Robert Gillespie, respectively, as he evaluated his options prior to putting pen to paper on Wednesday. His first trek was to Gainesville Dec. 8-10, where he noticeably reciprocated the Gators' interest.
"Florida has shown me that it's a home for me. I'm very wanted here," Baugh told All Gators fresh off the official stay on Dec. 10. "I was always told, 'Go where you wanted.' I like Florida a lot."
Despite his ensuing stay in Tuscaloosa Dec. 15-17, Baugh maintained a fond perception of Florida's program amid its ongoing rebuild. His relationship with Juluke — whom he spoke fondly of after spending time with the running back assistant during his multi-day trip — ultimately paid dividends for UF in luring the 6-foot, 215-pound back into the class.
Baugh is expected to occupy a versatile role for UF when he inevitably cracks the rotation in orange and blue.
"I'm very versatile, so I can play receiver, running back and he said they used their running backs well in the passing game, too," Baugh said. "They run the ball a lot and you can see, he said the whole weekend, 'Numbers don't lie.' They have two running backs in the top ten [in the SEC] for rushing."
The acquisition of Baugh bolsters a running back room with considerable production to replace entering the 2024 campaign following Trevor Etienne's decision to transfer.
While the uber-productive athlete from Decatur, Ga., will attempt to carve out a niche early in his Florida career, he'll call on his experience working as both a traditional ball carrier and wideout for the Eagles over the past three seasons.
Baugh joins Mississippi prospect Kahnen Daniels as an incoming freshman heading into the backfield corps. Incumbent starter Montrell Johnson, rising senior JaKobi Jackson, rising sophomore Treyaun Webb and former Tulane transfer Cam Carroll round out the remainder of the scholarship running back room.
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