Gators RB Target Jadan Baugh: ‘Florida Has Shown Me That It’s a Home for Me’
GAINESVILLE, Fla.-- The Florida Gators, amid their mission to add another running back alongside Kahnen Daniels in the 2024 commitment class, played host to four-star Arkansas pledge Jadan Baugh on an official visit Friday through Sunday.
The trek presented Florida with its final opportunity to express its considerable interest in Baugh before Early Signing Day on Dec. 20.
In the eyes of the bruising back from Decatur (Ga.) Columbia High, the trip aided the Gators' standing in his recruitment. It's a promising sign for running backs coach Jabbar Juluke and the future of Florida's offense.
"Florida has shown me that it's a home for me. I'm very wanted here," Baugh told All Gators fresh off the official stay in Gainesville. "I was always told, 'Go where you wanted.' I like Florida a lot. It moved them up in my recruitment a lot, too."
While he's currently pledged to the Razorbacks, Baugh said he's about 50% committed to Sam Pittman and Co. at Arkansas. Running backs coach Jimmy Smith is the main reason he remains committed to the program, Baugh shared.
"Definitely coach Jimmy," he said when asked about the Hogs' most potent selling point. "He's from where I'm from. We're very close. The conversations we have are about life more. It's very genuine, and that's what's keeping me committed right now."
On the Florida side, Juluke has stood at the forefront of the team's flip efforts, building a strong rapport with another potential mentee upon Baugh's arrival at the collegiate level.
A central point of their discussions over the weekend, as expected, was the role Florida envisions for the Peach State talent if he were to align with the Gators. Juluke outlined Baugh's expected usage and the development plan he currently has in mind for him.
"I'm very versatile, so I can play receiver, running back and he said they used their running backs well in the passing game, too," Baugh said about the role description. "They run the ball a lot and you can see, he said the whole weekend, 'Numbers don't lie.' They have two running backs in the top ten [in the SEC] for rushing."
One of those running backs, Trevor Etienne, recently entered the NCAA transfer portal, a move that created playing opportunities for the other ball carriers in the room. Baugh said his player host, rising sophomore Treyaun Webb, discussed those chances with him during the visit.
"That just moved somebody up on the depth chart. And that's all it is. But you got to move on from it," Baugh said of Etienne's departure.
Baugh plans to visit Alabama next week and then contemplate his options before putting pen to paper on Signing Day, next Wednesday. The Crimson Tide currently sit on the outside of his recruitment looking in at Arkansas and Florida, but Baugh will do his due diligence before officially naming his school of choice.
"Obviously [Florida] showed me everything that I need to see this weekend," Baugh said. "Next week's going to determine everything, just to make sure Florida or Arkansas is where I want to be."
Should Baugh and Daniels sign with Florida, the latter as planned, they would join Montrell Johnson Jr., Webb and seventh-year senior Cam Carroll in the Gators' running back room. Carroll missed all of 2023 with an ACL tear.
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