With the 2026 college football season still months away, the buzz around the Heisman Trophy is already heating up—and the Florida Gators have a rising star in the conversation.

Three of last season's four Heisman finalists have moved on to the NFL, including 2025 winner Fernando Mendoza, who went No. 1 overall in the draft. That leaves a wide-open field for college football's most prestigious award, and CBS Sports has its eye on a Gator.

In a recent feature, CBS Sports' Shehan Jeyarajah projected the top 25 teams after spring practice and picked one player from each program with the best shot at Heisman glory. For the No. 23-ranked Florida Gators, the clear choice is junior running back Jadan Baugh.

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

Baugh, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, started all 12 games for the Orange and Blue last season, carrying the ball 220 times for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. He also added 185 receiving yards on 31 catches with two more scores, plus 88 return yards on a punt return and three kickoff returns. His rushing yards, attempts, rushing touchdowns, and total touchdowns all led the team.

The 1,000-yard milestone placed Baugh among elite company—he became just the 10th Gator in program history to reach that mark. His 266-yard performance against Florida State in the season finale was the second-highest single-game total in school history and the most ever by a Gator against the Seminoles.

Overall, his 1,170 rushing yards ranked sixth all-time at Florida, third in the SEC, and 14th nationally among FBS schools in 2025.

As the Gators gear up for a promising season, all eyes will be on Baugh to see if he can turn that potential into a Heisman campaign.