Jon Sumrall, the Florida football coach, traveled to Atlanta on Christmas Eve to meet with exceptional running back Jadan Baugh and his family, but he wasn’t sure what to expect.
Sumrall knew that keeping the 6-foot-1, 231-pound Baugh was a top priority when he first took office. Losing starting Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway earlier in December was a setback, but Baugh was the engine that drove UF’s offense in 2025, with 1,170 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns overall (eight rushing, two receiving).
Sumrall transformed the occasion into a family event in the spirit of the season.
We had my wife, my children, my mother, and her dog with us, according to Sumrall. We took the entire family and spent about an hour and a half there. Great family, man. His parents, Corey and Whitney, played an important role.
A large paycheck with help from Florida Victorious helped cement Baugh’s return, as he is expected to earn between $1. 2-1. 3 million next season. However, Sumrall’s trip to Baugh’s house demonstrated dedication, as he outlined his plan for Baugh’s involvement in the attack.
Baugh will enter the 2026 season as one of the SEC’s top running backs, together with Ahmad Harvey of Missouri and Kewan Lacy of Ole Miss. According to Sumrall, the in-home trip allowed him to learn more about his star running back.
Jadan is a wonderful youngster, really nice, and sort of a no-nonsense, low-maintenance person, Sumrall said. Sometimes that kind of character may be perplexing when you approach the process, since you’re wondering, okay, what does the contact look like? He dislikes communicating on the phone or via text. He just enjoys playing football.
Baugh was one of the important players that Sumrall and general manager Dave Caldwell hoped to keep from the 2025 roster, which also includes wide receiver Vernell Brown III, linebacker Myles Graham, wide receiver Dallas Wilson, and edge rusher Jayden Woods.
Keeping the Jaden Baughs and Jayden Woods simplifies coaching, Sumrall told us. Those guys are not only exceptional football players, but also the type of people you want to construct a culture around because of how they conduct themselves.
