What Jadan Baugh's Work at Wildcat QB Could Mean for the Gators

Fresh off a 1,170-yard and eight-touchdown season, Jadan Baugh is the undisputed king of the Florida Gators' backfield heading into next season.

But that doesn't mean it isn't crowded.

Since Florida’s season ended in December, new head coach Jon Sumrall and his staff have welcomed Cincinnati transfer Evan Pryor and East Carolina transfer London Montgomery, two backs with starter experience who have each eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in their careers.

That’s why, if you’ve been keeping up Florida’s spring practices, you may have noticed new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner carving out periods where Baugh is getting reps as a wildcat quarterback, both running and even throwing the ball.

👀 https://t.co/g04E8NjMq2 pic.twitter.com/TnHPPp3lVH
— Isaac Edelman (@IsaacEdelman) April 2, 2026

The All-SEC back says Faulkner has teased his vision to him since his days as a high school recruit, and he seems excited for the opportunity for them to finally come together.

“Coach Buster was recruiting me out of high school when he was at Georgia Tech. We always had a close relationship," Baugh said. "He told me when we were in a room at Georgia Tech the way he could use me...I feel like he knows me a lot – him putting me in position to get the ball in my hands, I feel like that is perfect.”

Fresh off scheming one of the most innovative run games in college football during his time at Georgia Tech, where they led the ACC in rushing last year (197.8), Faulkner excels at recognizing his team’s strengths and building around them.

Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King did most of his damage on the ground thanks to an intricate, motion zone-heavy system designed by Faulkner that allowed him to run for 36 touchdowns in the past three seasons.

There’s still no indication of how much, if ever, they will run the formation once the season arrives, but it could be a creative way to organize their top playmakers.

What It Could Mean for the Gators

With several explosive gains throughout his career, Pryor brings a new, home-run element to Florida's offense. | Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Running the Wildcat would allow Faulkner to pair Pryor, a speedster with gains of 80, 65 and 64 yards throughout his career, with a more traditional, balanced back like Baugh, who thrives in zone schemes between the tackles.

"Evan Pryor can roll," Sumrall declared. "He's got great speed, short area quickness. I think he adds a different dimension to the running back room."

Last season, Pryor started six games for Cincinnati while running for 522 yards and three touchdowns and averaging 6.9 yards per carry. He also caught in 10 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown.

Jadan Baugh working some special wildcat drills. A fun look at a new way Buster Faulkner could use him. #Gators pic.twitter.com/BVvZ7E5hNv
— Dylan Olive (@DylanOlive_UF) March 10, 2026

One look, as featured in the video, would be a speed option that allows Baugh to decide between keeping it himself or drawing in the defense as a threat and pitching it to Pryor outside of the tackles.

Another classic wildcat play would feature Pryor jet motioning across the field, leaving Baugh with the option to hand it off to Pryor and threaten the perimeter, or pull it and bruise defenses between the tackles.

East Carolina transfer London Montgomery could also be effective in this formation as well. Last season, the former Pirate totaled 932 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns while starting eight games.

While he won't flash the same game-breaking speed that Pryor has, Montgomery is arguably the more balanced, effective back.

Florida will have an abundance of options in their backfield next season, and it should be encouraging that they are already mapping out how to allocate their resources.