Florida's Jadan Baugh a potential Heisman Trophy candidate in 2026

The 2026 college football campaign is still over three months away, but it is never too early to start talking about Heisman Trophy hopefuls.

Three of the four Heisman finalists departed to the pros through the NFL draft, including the 2025 winner and No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza. That leaves the field of competition wide open for the most coveted award in the sport.

CBS Sports writer Shehan Jeyarajah recently took a look at his publication's projected top 25 after the spring practice season and named a player from each program who has the best shot at earning college football immortality. For the Florida Gators, who come in at No. 23 in the rankings, the clear answer is rising junior running back Jadan Baugh, who has demonstrated his superlative talents during his two years in Gainesville so far.

"Baugh was set to become one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal," Jeyarajah begins. "Behind new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, the Gators should have a dynamic running game with the star running back taking center stage."

Last year, the Atlanta, Georgia, product started all 12 games for the Orange and Blue, carrying the ball 220 times for 1,170 yards and eight rushing touchdowns, while pulling in 185 receiving yards on 31 receptions and two receiving touchdowns, along with 88 return yards on one punt return and three kickoff returns. His rushing yards, rushing attempts, rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns led the team.

Baugh became the 10th Gator all-time to rush for 1,000 yards, thanks in part to his 266-yard effort against the Florida State Seminoles in the season finale. That total was the second-most in program history in a single game and the most all-time against FSU.

His 1,170 yards on the ground were the sixth-best total in Florida football history, and ranked third in the SEC and 14th among FBS schools in 2025.