Jadan Baugh Named to Preseason All-SEC First Team

Florida’s Star Running Back Honored

The Athletic released its 2026 preseason All‑SEC team rosters on Friday, and only one Florida Gator made the cut. Junior running back Jadan Baugh earned a spot on the First Team, joining Ole Miss’s Kewan Lacy as the conference’s top backfield nominees. The honor highlights a lone Florida presence among the two prestigious squads. It is the first time a Gator has been recognized on this particular preseason list since the release of the 2026 edition.

Breakout Season That Earned the Spot

Baugh’s selection is rooted more in past production than future projection, notes writer Seth Emerson. The 6‑foot‑1‑inch, 231‑pound back rushed for 1,170 yards on 220 attempts last season, third in the SEC. He also contributed 185 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns, and 88 return yards on special teams. His 81 forced missed tackles ranked eighth nationally, underscoring his elusiveness.

How the Selection Compares to Other SEC Rushers

The Athletic’s quote contrasts Baugh’s season with other elite rushers from Georgia, Tennessee, Auburn, and Texas. It lists Nate Frazier, DeSean Bishop, Jeremiah Cobb, and Hollywood Smothers—each a standout from previous seasons. Smothers shone as the ACC’s fourth‑leading rusher with 936 yards at NC State. The comparison underscores how Baugh’s 1,170‑yard campaign stands out at the conference level.

Context Within Florida’s Program History

On the field, Baugh started all 12 games and led the Orange and Blue with eight rushing touchdowns. His 266‑yard performance against Florida State Seminoles marked the second‑most single‑game rushing yards in program history. That effort vaulted him to become the 10th Gator all‑time to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in a season. The accomplishment adds depth to a proud rushing tradition at Florida.

First Team Running Backs

• Kewan Lacy, junior, Ole Miss
• Jadan Baugh, junior, Florida

Looking Ahead

Both Baugh and Lacy are viewed as potential impact backs for the 2026 season, shaping the competition for conference supremacy. Their inclusion signals that the SEC will feature two of the league’s most reliable power runners. Fans of the Gators and Rebels will monitor how each performer lives up to the preseason expectations. The two backs are set to play pivotal roles in their teams’ rushing attacks and overall offensive schemes.