Could Florida’s Jadan Baugh End 11-Year Running Back Heisman Drought?

Jadan Baugh’s strong start to 2026 has led to his name being held in high regard. The junior looks to become the first running back in 11 years to etch his name in college football history and claim the Heisman Trophy as his own.

The last to do so at the position was Alabama’s Derrick Henry in 2015 after producing 2,219 total yards and 28 touchdowns across a 15-game national championship-winning campaign. 

Henry was the main attraction in that running back room, though his Crimson Tide teammate Damien Harris also found success. Harris ended up as a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and five-year NFL veteran before retiring in 2023.

After the closure of his playing career, Harris transferred his love for the game to a role with CBS Sports as an analyst. Since joining the media sphere, he has kept a close watch on Baugh’s professional level skillset.

“He’s the type of vintage, workhorse back. Not necessarily the same play style, but in the same conversation as guys like Jonathan Taylor,” Harris said. “Just a bigger, fluid, smooth and powerful back that is really going to make your offense a lot easier (to run).”

What interests Harris in Baugh specifically is what has made the junior running back one of the nation’s best. The mix of elusiveness and power that developing running backs rarely possess makes Baugh a unique specimen in college football. 

That combination of skills is a key trademark of how Baugh has started the season for the Gators. While the 458 rushing yards and eight touchdowns across three games stand out, a further look into the numbers shows what makes the Florida star special.

Among all running backs at the FBS level, Baugh ranks first in the nation in missed tackles (30) and fourth in the nation in yards after contact (265). In Harris’ eyes, that is what makes way for Baugh’s high statistics across the board and what makes him a valuable piece in Florida’s offense.

“When you have a bigger back like him that normally stays between the hashes, you can get the ball out in space and then allow him to use his ability to make people miss,” he said. “The fact that he’s a bigger back out in space against smaller defenders gives you another huge element to your offense.”

Aside from what can be found on a stat sheet, Baugh possesses a certain toughness that sets him apart. To play the position in the SEC, it takes a high level of physicality that Baugh embraces, according to Harris.

“You have to have an attitude and you have to take that attitude in stride on every single carry, every single rep, every single day. Obviously Jadan Baugh has got it,” he said.
”The fact that he does it carry after carry and he almost gets better as the game goes on, that shows you he’s got that mentality.”

Between the statistics and the grit that Baugh plays with, there is little question as to why the 2025 All SEC Second Team recipient has upped his national notoriety in 2026. Another aspect that has helped boost Baugh’s reputation is the support he has received from his teammates.

After becoming the first known Gators player to strike the Heisman Trophy pose after a touchdown against FAU and again at Auburn, the Florida faithful clamored for Baugh’s name to be inserted into the conversation for the accolade. Teammates like sophomore receiver Vernell Brown III have been among the most vocal for Baugh’s Heisman Trophy candidacy.

“Jadan has been putting the work in, year in and year out and putting it on film every year,” Brown said. “I think I speak for the whole team that we’re all behind him 100% on that.”

While players like Brown have had the opportunity to be around Baugh for an extended period, newer players have just been learning how much of a threat he can be. 

James Madison transfer tight end Lacota Dippre blocked two players and opened up a hole for Baugh’s 53-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against Auburn. While Baugh earned the spoils of the score, Dippre felt as if he was the lucky one.

“I went up to him on the sideline, and I was like ‘Bro, you’re different. It’s a pleasure to block you,'” Dippre said.

The impressive statistics and endorsements are on Baugh’s side, but history is not. The 11-year gap between Henry’s success and the modern state of college football has drastically changed what makes a player Heisman-worthy.

Look back two years to Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty for an example of the selection committee shunning running backs. Jeanty rushed for 2,601 yards, 27 yards behind Barry Sanders’ record rushing year in 1988, and 29 touchdowns over 14 games. Despite Jeanty putting together one of the best statistical seasons by a running back, the junior still finished second behind Colorado’s Travis Hunter.

However, what differs in Baugh’s situation is both the level of competition in the SEC and where Florida (3-0) may land come the end of the regular season. Those factors may make or break the Heisman chances for one of the best running backs in UF’s history.

“It would be hard enough for a running back to win the award, especially when some of the quarterbacks are playing well,” Harris said. “Honestly, he needs to just keep doing what he’s doing. And another part of that is that Florida has to keep winning.”

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