‘I Know Where Home Is’: Why Jadan Baugh Stayed at Florida
Coming off two seasons in The Swamp as Florida’s star running back and a record-setting performance against Florida State, top programs in the country tried to persuade Jadan Baugh to enter the transfer portal.
Running backs coach Jabbar Juluke bolted for Texas, and rumors began to swirl about Baugh following him to Austin, with a reported NIL deal of $1.5 million. Georgia and Ohio State were reportedly interested as well, with the Buckeyes snagging Baugh’s backfield partner Jakobi Jackson.
The Gators running back ultimately returned home to Gainesville for his junior year thanks to a special visit in his hometown.
“It was more of just knowing where home was in my thinking process,” Baugh said. “I know where home is and where I want to be, and Florida is definitely the place.”
One of the driving factors in Baugh’s decision to return was an in-house meeting with Jon Sumrall and Florida’s new staff on Christmas Eve. The staff spent the evening at the Baughs’ home, giving their pitch on why he should return.
“It meant the most to me. He said that his dad had just passed,” Baugh said. “For him to bring his family to see me and say that his dad wanted to be here, that meant the most to me because that shows that you really, really care about your job and you really care about what’s going on and what players you want.”
He said that taking time for himself and being with his family and teammates helped him throughout the whole offseason.
Baugh’s relationship with Florida offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner dates back to before their time in Gainesville. Faulkner tried to recruit Baugh to Georgia Tech out of high school, and Baugh said they have had a close relationship since then, which helped his decision to return and play under him.
“Having him here was meant to be, basically,” Baugh said. “I knew the vision for it. I knew what was going on, I knew the players he was trying to bring in, and I knew what he was trying to do.”
Baugh says Faulkner is preaching playing fast and demanding the best out of each player, and to play fast, they need to practice fast. Florida has a “loaf report,” which records when a player does not hustle after the ball if they dropped a pass. Baugh says coaches are looking for “loafs” during each period, and the attention to detail has been very helpful.
The Gators tailback will be running behind a new offensive line this season, with transfers TJ Shanahan Jr., Eagan Boyer and Harrison Moore projected to start alongside Knijeah Harris and Caden Jones. Baugh said having Harris and Jones back helps build the chemistry between the new guys.
Baugh is excited for all the young guys to make explosive plays in The Swamp for the first time as the Gators prepare for their Orange and Blue spring game on April 11.
“Marquez (Daniel) is like, ‘When I come into The Swamp, I’m going to be so nervous,’” Baugh said. “I’m like, ‘Bro, it’s football.’ The Swamp is electric, and it’s different when you walk in there, but again, it’s football. For him to just go out there and make plays on Saturday will impress me the most because I know what’s going through his head.”
Category: Feature Sports News, Gators Football
