Florida running back Jadan Baugh (13) celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman TJ Shanahan Jr. (67) as the Florida Gators face the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. (Matthew Lewis/WRUF)

Jadan Baugh Earns First Career Doak Walker Weekly Honor

Florida running back Jadan Baugh’s performance against Ole Miss is putting him in the national spotlight once again. After already receiving SEC Offensive Player of the Week, Baugh was awarded the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week Tuesday.

Established in 1989 by the SMU Athletic Forum, the award annually honors the best running back in college football. It got its namesake from the late Doak Walker, the 1948 Heisman Trophy winner who won back-to-back NFL titles with the Detroit Lions in 1952 and 1953. Walker was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

In 2022, the weekly recognition was introduced, and this is Baugh’s first time receiving this honor after being named to the preseason watch list. Baugh had 29 carries for 142 yards and three touchdowns on Saturday, leading Florida to a 52-28 victory over the Rebels.

These numbers aren’t new for Baugh, as he has averaged 150 yards per game and 2.75 touchdowns. He has also totaled 600 yards on the season, the second most in the nation and the most of any Gator through the first four games. He also notched 11 rushing touchdowns, the most in college football.

Baugh’s Heisman contender odds increased after last Saturday’s show, now ranked fourth among the top candidates.

Category: Gator Sports, Gators Football