Jon Sumrall to meet with Jadan Baugh to discuss future, per report
Published:
Jon Sumrall is putting together his first coaching staff at Florida for the 2026 season, but the Gators’ new coach is also trying to fortify his roster.
At the top of that potential list for Sumrall is star running back Jadan Baugh, who busted out this past season to the tune of 1,170 yards rushing and 8 touchdowns. Sumrall would like to keep Baugh in Gainesville going forward, and On3 reported on Sunday afternoon that Baugh is “set to meet in person” with Sumrall this week.
During an otherwise forgettable season at Florida that included the firing of Billy Napier as head coach, Baugh was a beaming light and become a big-time problem for SEC defenses. He became Florida’s first single-season 1,000-yard rusher in a decade, and that alone makes him very important for Jon Sumrall to retain for the 2026 season.
Sumrall will reportedly continue that pursuit this week when he meets with Baugh, who has also been linked with other big-time programs such as SEC rivals Texas and Georgia, as well as defending national champion Ohio State.
Baugh might have had his breakthrough as a sophomore this fall, but he wasn’t bad as a freshman either. He piled up 673 yards rushing in 2024 with 7 touchdowns as a freshman at Florida before his full explosion in 2025.
Now, Baugh’s status for 2026 is uncertain, something Sumrall is reportedly set to address this week as he tries to retain the star running back for next fall.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
