The college football transfer portal is officially open for business, and things are already heating up-especially in the SEC. One of the biggest storylines early in this cycle? Georgia potentially eyeing a standout running back from rival Florida, even before he’s officially hit the portal.
That running back is Jadan Baugh, and while he hasn’t entered the portal yet, his name is already buzzing across the college football landscape. Baugh just wrapped up a breakout season with the Gators, rushing for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns on 220 carries.
That kind of production in the SEC-especially with the kind of schedule Florida faced-is no small feat. He was a bright spot in an otherwise rocky season in Gainesville.
Now, with Florida parting ways with head coach Billy Napier, a roster shake-up is expected. And that’s where Georgia, among others, reportedly enters the picture.
There are growing allegations that schools-including Georgia and Texas-have been tampering with Baugh, trying to lure him into the portal with significant NIL offers. While nothing has been confirmed, and Baugh technically remains on Florida’s roster, the rumors are swirling. And in today’s college football world, where the line between recruiting and tampering is getting blurrier by the year, this kind of chatter is becoming more common.
From Georgia’s perspective, Baugh would be a luxury, not a necessity. The Bulldogs already have one of the most exciting young backfields in the country, with Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens expected to return next season.
That duo has the potential to be one of the most explosive in the nation. But let’s be honest-if a talent like Baugh wants to come back to his home state (he’s originally from Atlanta), it’s hard to imagine Kirby Smart and company turning him away.
This wouldn’t be the first time Georgia has plucked talent from a rival, and it likely won’t be the last. The Bulldogs are always looking to reload, not rebuild. And if Baugh does decide to enter the portal, he’ll be one of the most coveted backs available-especially with his SEC experience and proven production.
As for the tampering accusations? That’s a murky part of the modern college football world.
While technically against NCAA rules, enforcement has been spotty at best. Programs across the country are operating in a gray area, and unless the NCAA decides to take a firmer stance, these kinds of behind-the-scenes conversations are likely to continue.
For now, Baugh remains a Gator. But with Florida in transition and the portal wide open, don’t be surprised if this story takes another turn soon. Georgia may not need him-but they certainly wouldn’t mind adding another weapon to an already loaded offense.