Can Jadan Baugh do enough in 2026 to create Heisman Trophy buzz?

ESPN recently dropped a list of way-too-early Heisman contenders, and it was unfortunate not to see Gators running back Jadan Baugh among the group. Baugh was the bright spot on a struggling offense last season, finishing third in the SEC with 1,170 yards. 

Florida was 4-8 last year and new coach Jon Sumrall replaced most of the staff, so it's not surprising that Baugh has fallen under the radar. But Baugh isn't even on the board for Heisman odds with FanDuel, which is odd considering projected starting quarterback Aaron Philo is +6500 and has played just six games in two years.

Can Jadan Baugh put together a Heisman campaign in 2026?

It's hard for running backs to win the Heisman these days. Derrick Henry was the last to do it in 2015, and he had a 2,200-yard season. Kewan Lacy led the SEC in rushing last season and didn't even make the top-10 voting. So for Baugh to even jump on the radar, he'll have to start out in a similar fashion to the way he ended 2025 when he rushed for 266 yards against Florida State.

The Gators will also have to be much better on the field. Henry and Mark Ingram, the last two running backs to win the award, were the best players on the best team. Florida isn't expected to make the CFP in Sumrall's first year, but can Baugh carry the team to 8 or 9 wins with a tough schedule? If so, Baugh will have to have a landmark season where he breaks Emmitt Smith's rushing record of 1,599 yards.

Obviously, any running back needs a special season to win the Heisman. Reggie Bush had nearly 3,000 all-purpose yards when he won it in 2005. Henry posted the seventh most rushing yards in a single season in 2015 and when San Diego State's Rashaad Penny rushed for 2,248 yards in 2017, it was only good enough for fifth in the voting.

One thing is for sure, offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner is going to lean heavily on Baugh early in the season, if the junior can respond with a couple of massive games...I'm talking 180+ yards, then momentum will begin to build for him and Gators football.