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Best RB room in the SEC? ESPN's Cole Cubelic says Gators are No. 1

On3 imageby:Keith Niebuhr•05/26/25•

On3Keith

Jadan-Baugh-Florida-Gators
Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) runs with the ball against the Tulane Green Wave during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)

Who has the SEC’s top running backs room in 2025? According to former SEC offensive lineman and current ESPN college football analyst Cole Cubelic, it is the Florida Gators. Cubelic recently revealed his top five SEC running back room rankings (watch HERE) and the order looks like this:

1. Florida
2. Texas
3. Texas A&M
4. Alabama
5. Georgia

“For me (at No. 1) it’s the Florida Gators,” Cubelic said. “A lot of this is riding on Jadan Baugh. I just marvel at a young man that’s 235 pounds that is as quick as he is laterally, gets to full speed as quickly as he does and still brings the power on a consistent basis that he does.”

Baugh is coming off a true freshman season in which he led the team in rushing yards (673) and total touchdowns (eight), and tied for the team lead in rushing touchdowns (seven). He averaged 5.1 yards a carry in 2024. Now, even more is expected from him in 2025.

“One, he’s going to be running outside zone a large portion of the time, which gives him the ability to utilize patience, find a space, find a crease, foot in the ground, get north and south and punish defenders, something he’s really good at,” Cubelic said. “He also has the elusiveness to give you a spin or juke and get out of your way. I think he is absolutely fantastic. I don’t think there is another speed-power combination with quickness like him in the Southeastern Conference; I really don’t.”

The Florida Gators have talent and depth

Meanwhile, Cubelic also is high on UF senior Ja’Kobi Jackson. He was third on the team with 509 rushing yards in 2024 playing behind Baugh and Montrell Johnson (now off to the NFL).

“He looks like he could be maybe a little more of the home run hitter, a little bit more dynamic than Baugh,” Cubelic said. “Even though I think Baugh has breakaway speed and can be that guy that you lean on, that can use ability to kind of grind on you and continue to pound you.”

Additionally, Cubelic likes the depth in the Gators’ running back room (he mentioned KD Daniels). Overall, he’s impressed by the group and what the players in that room bring to the table.

“There are some things that work a little bit against them in this offense with some of the intricate details and how it operates, but those backs are going to get their opportunities,” Cubelic said. “Inside zone, outside zone, power to be able to go downhill and punish opponents. I think they’re going to have a good offensive line to be able to help them. And I know they’re going to have a good quarterback to be able to get them in the right situations and help get them out of some jams.”

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