RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Florida 's running backs room is one that head coach Jon Sumrall believes is full of "good players."
Jadan Baugh headlines things after a breakout sophomore year. He's projected as one of the top running backs in the SEC and should be drafted after this season. He set records last year, including a dominant 266-yard, two-touchdown performance against FSU in the season finale, putting everyone on notice coming into 2026.
Sumrall added some depth to the room from the transfer portal, landing Cincinnati's Evan Pryor and East Carolina's London Montgomery. Both figure to see the field somewhat regularly this year, but there are only so many snaps to go around.
There's also returning backs Duke Clark and Byron Louis to consider. Clark emerged as a potential backup to Baugh at the end of last season and in spring, but he spent the first half of fall camp injured. Louis is more of a developmental piece, but he could take a jump as a sophomore.
Here's a closer look at Florida's running backs room heading into the 2026 season.
(Check out Gators Wire's QB position preview)
Note: With the new age-based eligibility system in place, player classifications will no longer include redshirt status. For example, a redshirt sophomore (R-So.) listed on the official roster will be considered a junior (Jr.) — freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, 5th year.
Starter: No. 13 Jadan Baugh (Jr.)
Rushing Stats:
Year GP ATT YDS AVG TD Long AVG/G 2024 13 133 673 5.1 7 55 51.8 2025 12 220 1,170 5.3 8 26 97.5 Career 25 353 1,843 5.2 15 55 73.7
Receiving Stats:
Year GP REC YDS AVG TD Long AVG/G 2024 13 4 33 8.3 1 25 2.5 2025 12 33 210 6.4 2 33 17.5 Career 25 37 243 6.6 3 35 9.7
Baugh isn't just the centerpiece of the running back room; he's the focal point of the whole offense. After becoming the 10th player in program history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, Baugh has popped up on multiple preseason All-Conference and All-America lists.
He's a three-down back that has practically unmatched pound-for-pound strength. Retaining Baugh was a priority for Jon Sumrall after taking the job. He mentioned him in his introductory press conference, asking, "How can I get No. 13 the ball a few more times?"
By most accounts, he turned down transfer opportunities to see things through with the Gators and has a clear path to an early-round draft selection next spring.
The Transfers: No. 21 Evan Pryor (5th) and No. 24 London Montgomery (Sr.)
Evan Pryor
* = with Ohio State; ** = with Cincinnati
Rushing Stats:
Year GP ATT YDS AVG TD Long AVG/G 2021* 4 21 98 4.7 1 16 24.5 2023* 4 19 49 2.6 0 6 12.3 2024** 12 56 418 7.5 6 65 34.8 2025** 10 76 522 6.9 3 46 52.2 Career 30 172 1,087 6.3 10 65 36.5
Receiving Stats:
Year GP REC YDS AVG TD Long AVG/G 2021* 4 2 8 4.0 0 10 2.0 2023* 4 1 2 2.0 0 2 0.5 2024** 12 15 181 12.1 1 80 15.1 2025** 10 10 107 10.7 1 26 10.7 Career 30 28 298 10.6 2 80 9.9
Pryor has experience starting games for Cincinnati and has played with an elite program before at Ohio State. Injuries derailed his early career, but he became a weapon for the Bearcats over the last two seasons. He's learned to contribute out of the backfield and can be a good change-of-pace back for the Gators this season.
Sumrall hasn't outright named him the backup to Baugh, but fifth-year players don't typically transfer to a program with a clear No. 1 at the same position unless they think they'll get some playing time. Keeping Baugh healthy for the long haul should get Pryor on the field early and often.
“Evan's a smart kid," Sumrall said. "He's got a slashing running-style ability. He's a different body type, different run style than Jadan. He's got good ball skills, does some good things out of the backfield receiving.”
London Montgomery
* = with East Carolina
Rushing Stats:
Year GP ATT YDS AVG TD Long AVG/G 2024* 11 71 359 5.1 2 48 32.6 2025* 12 156 742 4.8 7 51 61.8 Career 23 227 1,101 4.9 9 51 47.9
Receiving Stats:
Year GP REC YDS AVG TD Long AVG/G 2024* 11 5 29 5.8 0 10 2.6 2025* 12 15 76 5.1 0 21 6.3 Career 23 20 105 5.3 0 21 4.6
Montgomery started his career at Penn State but never played a down for the Nittany Lions. He transferred to East Carolina and played consistently for the Pirates, rushing for more than 1,000 yards over two seasons. His role in Florida's system is yet to be defined, but with a large playbook, Buster Faulkner should be able to use him. Special teams feels likely, but Montgomery could carve out a power back role thanks to his run style.
"London Montgomery is kind of the one, every time he gets it, I feel like he's kind of the forgotten guy in that room," Sumrall said. "He's good on kick return. He's sturdy, he's physical, he plays a little bit bigger than he is. He's a hard tackle."
Returning Depth: No. 20 Duke Clark (So.) and No. 27 Byron Louis (So.)
Duke Clark
Rushing Stats:
Year GP ATT YDS AVG TD Long AVG/G 2025 4 15 58 3.9 0 11 14.5
Receiving Stats:
Year GP REC YDS AVG TD Long AVG/G 2025 4 2 14 7.0 0 11 3.5
Clark is dealing with a soft-tissue injury, which has kept him out of the first week and a half of fall camp. Sumrall appears confident he'll be ready for Week 1, and they held him out of team work until the second week of training camp as a precaution.
Clark's role is also up in the air. After spring practices, he looked like an RB2, but Pryor has flashed enough to compete for that role while Clark gets healthy. It wouldn't be shocking to anyone if Clark eventually emerged as the second option. He had some brilliant moments last season as a true freshman.
He's also 6-feet-2-inches and 208 pounds, which gives him a more physical frame than the two transfers. Pryor and Montgomery are both 5-feet-10-inches and around 190 pounds.
Byron Louis
Rushing Stats:
Year GP ATT YDS AVG TD Long AVG/G 2025 1 2 -2 -1.0 ...
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