Florida’s Jon Sumrall Makes Jadan Baugh a Top Priority Amid Transfer Portal Buzz
GAINESVILLE - As Jon Sumrall prepares for the biggest game of his coaching career with Tulane set to face Ole Miss in the opening round of the College Football Playoff, he’s also juggling another high-stakes battle - keeping star running back Jadan Baugh in Gainesville.
Baugh, fresh off a breakout sophomore season at Florida, has quickly become one of the most sought-after tailbacks in the country. With blueblood programs like Texas and Ohio State circling, Sumrall made it clear this week that retaining Baugh is at the top of his offseason to-do list.
“He’s extremely high priority,” Sumrall said during a Zoom call from Tulane’s CFP prep. “He’s a proven player, frontline player in the SEC.
I have a lot of respect for what he’s done. We’d love to have the opportunity to retain him.”
And it’s easy to see why.
At 6-foot and just over 230 pounds, Baugh brings a rare combination of size, speed, and versatility that doesn’t come around often - especially in today’s game. He rushed for 1,170 yards this season, becoming the first Florida back to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in the regular season since Mike Gillislee did it back in 2012. Baugh’s production wasn’t just steady - it was explosive.
His 266-yard performance on 38 carries in a rivalry win over Florida State wasn’t just a career night - it was historic. That total ranks second in school history, trailing only Emmitt Smith’s legendary 316-yard game. It was the kind of performance that turns heads in NFL front offices and opens up seven-figure NIL conversations in college football circles.
And it wasn’t a one-off. Baugh posted four 100-yard games this season - all in Florida wins.
On a 4-8 team, he was a bright spot, a consistent playmaker in an offense that otherwise struggled to find rhythm. He also added value in the passing game, catching 33 passes and scoring two receiving touchdowns among his 10 total scores on the year.
Those kinds of numbers - and that kind of versatility - don’t stay under the radar for long. With the transfer portal officially opening on January 2, top-tier programs with immediate needs at running back are expected to come calling, and likely with lucrative NIL packages in hand.
Baugh, a former 3-star recruit out of Decatur Columbia, a small 2A school outside Atlanta, has already outperformed his recruiting ranking. Now, he’s poised to cash in. After earning a modest NIL figure as a sophomore, he’s expected to command well over $1 million if he hits the open market.
That’s the new reality of college football - and Sumrall knows it. But even with the distractions of a CFP matchup on the horizon, he’s not losing sight of how important Baugh is to the future in Gainesville.
“It’s one of the top priorities right now,” Sumrall said. “Would love for him to stay.”
If Florida wants to turn the corner under its new head coach, retaining a game-changer like Jadan Baugh isn’t just a luxury - it’s a necessity.