Florida running back room earns top five national ranking from PFF
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Pro Football Focus ranks Florida No. 4 among college football running back rooms entering 2026.
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Lead rusher Jadan Baugh, Cincinnati transfer Evan Pryor, four-star incoming redshirt freshman Duke Clark, and East Carolina transfer London Montgomery give the Gators one of the deepest backfields in the nation. The group trails only Texas Tech, Missouri and Ole Miss.
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According to its wins above average metric, PFF considers Baugh the most valuable returning Power Four running back since the start of the 2024 season. The All-SEC selection from a year ago and Doak Walker watch list honoree is also viewed by the outlet as a potential first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Last season, Baugh became the first 1,000-yard rusher since Kelvin Taylor in 2015.
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Top 10 Running Back Rooms in College Football🔥
Save 33% on PFF+ Subscription: https://t.co/GKa77x09rqpic.twitter.com/iIUcpNlIbZ
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 12, 2026
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Baugh was given an 89.5 rushing grade by PFF in 2025, ranking the junior No. 16 among FBS backs. His 1,170 yards running and eight touchdowns to go along with 33 receptions for 210 yards and two touchdowns earned him a Maxwell Award watch list nod this offseason.
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Pryor, who had the second-highest yards per carry in the Big 12, provides an experienced complement to Baugh. The redshirt senior who competed at Ohio State before transferring to Cincinnati averaged 4.2 yards after contact per attempt, the best mark in the Big 12 among qualifying backs according to PFF.
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The depth for Chris Foster's group continued with the arrival of London Montgomery from East Carolina. He collected seven rushing touchdowns, fourth-most in the American Conference.
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Florida appears to be secure at the position deep into the future as well, with former four-star prospect Duke Clark primed to one day become the Gators' backfield centerpiece. Clark's 1,735 yards running and 38 touchdowns earned him offers from Georgia and Alabama, but he decided to stay in the Sunshine State and play at UF.
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This stable of backs gives first-year offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner a backfield that can go three-deep this season, a major advantage in the taxing SEC.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida running back room earns top five national ranking from PFF
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