Florida Gators: 1 Freshman To Watch Out For During the 2024 Season

The Florida Gators are getting prepared for the 2024 season. The Gators spring football game took place last month and they are looking to turn the corner this season in the SEC. They will have a favorable schedule to start the season, but they will have a brutal schedule in the month of November.

During the spring football game between the blue team and the orange team, freshman running back Jadan Baugh caught the attention of a lot of people. These are the reasons why they have these spring games to see what kind of potential they have with these players.

Senior running back Montrell Johnson Jr. is expected to be the starting running back. However, Baugh can potentially show flashes of promise and become a star over the next couple of years in Gainsville, Florida.

Johnson Jr. last season for the Florida Gators rushed for 817 yards on 152 carries and five touchdowns, along with averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He also caught 30 passes for 236 yards receiving and one touchdown, along with averaging 7.9 yards per reception.

He is 6’0″ and weighs 237 lbs and Jadan Baugh is ready to make a name for himself right away. Cole Cubelic spoke on his podcast and said about the Florida Gators running back:

“This No. 13, Jadan Baugh, whoa. This is the part that probably takes me most off guard because … when I just watched it, I thought he looked good and I was like, ‘Man, that jump cut was incredible.”

Baugh was a three-star recruit coming out of high school, according to 247sports. He played at Columbia High School and he is from Decatur, Georgia. The fact he went to the Florida Gators and not the Georgia Bulldogs is a huge win for Florida.

Speaking of Georgia, former Gators running back Trevor Etienne transferred to the Bulldogs this past offseason. There will be a lot of competition at the running back position for the Florida Gators before college football season begins.

Florida Gators Freshman Running Back Jadan Baugh Could Be SEC Freshman Of the Year Depending On How Much Play Time He Gets

At the moment, according to ourlads, sophomore Treyaun Webb is projected to be the second running back on the depth chart, and Jadan Baugh is projected to be third in the depth chart. A lot can change throughout the course of the college football season. Hopefully, head coach Billy Napier will play Jadan Baugh sooner rather than later in the season.

Travis Robinson of hailfloridahail.com wrote about Baugh’s potential by saying:

“Baugh, in particular, stands out as a potential breakout star in the SEC. His rare combination of size, speed, and agility could make him a nightmare for opposing defenses. As the season unfolds, I won’t be surprised if his name becomes the center of conversations surrounding the conference’s top freshmen.”

Florida ranked eighth in the SEC Conference a season ago with rushing yards per game at 149.5. If Jadan Baugh comes onto the scene early for the Florida Gators, they can be an improved team in the SEC Conference after going 5-7 overall and 3-5 in conference play a season ago.