Jadan Baugh takes Heisman chase into Ole Miss test

01 · The NewsBaugh’s Heisman Test

Florida running back Jadan Baugh carried his Heisman pursuit into the national conversation after Florida opened 3-0 with a 44-39 win at Auburn on Saturday, Sept. 19. Baugh has 458 rushing yards and eight touchdowns through three games, numbers that rank second and tie for the FBS lead, respectively.

Baugh is trying to become the first running back to win the Heisman since Alabama’s Derrick Henry in 2015. He said Tuesday that the early attention reflects the work of the teammates around him.

“It’s just a statement. Me and my teammates been pushing for me and our program for a long time. With those guys on the O-line, the wide receivers, and the quarterbacks behind me, I feel like I can do anything I put my mind to,” Baugh said.

Baugh stayed in Gainesville after Billy Napier’s midseason firing in 2025 and Jon Sumrall’s hiring, passing up a potential transfer. The decision made him a central piece of Sumrall’s rebuild, and the coach has kept the offensive plan simple.

“You don’t know what to do, you just hand it to 13. That’ll work usually,” Sumrall said after Florida’s 66-21 win over Florida Atlantic on Sept. 5.

Baugh also has 2,301 career rushing yards and needs 164 to pass Chris Rainey for 10th in Florida history. For now, the Heisman remains a pursuit rather than an established standing in the race. Baugh’s father keeps the award in view.

“My mom and my dad always tell me to stay humble. My dad’s been sending me the Heisman Trophy each Monday. I see it each and everyday. He says, ‘go get me that’,” Baugh said.

02 · The StakesThe Stakes

No. 4 Ole Miss visits Florida on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game is Florida’s first major test of whether it can keep winning through Baugh and whether his Heisman case can hold against the tougher part of the SEC schedule. Florida was picked No. 21 in the preseason AP Top 25 after going 4-8 in 2025.

03 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching