Preseason Honors for the Gators
The Southeastern Conference announced its preseason All‑SEC squads this week, and the Florida Gators saw three of their own earn spots on the lists.
Junior running back Jadan Baugh received a second‑team nod, while sophomore wide receiver‑return specialist Vernell Brown III and freshman edge defender Jayden Woods were placed on the third team.
Coaches and analysts alike expect Baugh to be a cornerstone of the Gators’ offense in 2026, already appearing on prestigious watch lists for the Maxwell Award, the Doak Walker Award and the Paul Hornung Award.
In his sophomore campaign, Baugh rushed for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns, starting every game and helping the Gators secure a strong finish.
Brown made an immediate impact as a true freshman, leading the team with 40 receptions for 512 yards and earning Freshman All‑SEC honors, while also ranking among the nation’s top return specialists with 261 yards on 18 kicks and punts.
Woods, meanwhile, anchored the defensive line with a team‑high 3.5 sacks and a 10.6% quarterback‑pressure rate, showcasing a knack for disrupting opposing offenses.
All three players hail from Florida’s football‑rich corridors — Baugh from Atlanta, Georgia, and Brown from Gainesville — adding local pride to the Gators’ growing roster of SEC standouts.