Latest news with #FallAcademicHonorRoll
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida running back Jadan Baugh named to 2025 Doak Walker Award preseason watch list
The preseason watchlist announcements continue to roll in this week, and the latest member of the 2025 Florida football squad to get the call is sophomore running back Jadan Baugh, who is one of 102 players named to the 2025 Doak Walker Award preseason watch list. The ball carrier from Atlanta, Georgia, is among 31 sophomores mentioned on the list following a superb campaign in 2024. Baugh tied a program record of five rushing touchdowns in his first start — the only Gator to accomplish this feat in his collegiate debut — while also joining fellow freshman DJ Lagway in becoming the first true freshman running back and quarterback duo to start in the same game in UF history. Baugh played in all 13 games while leading the team with 673 rushing yards and eight total touchdowns last fall, and tied for a team-best seven rushing touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. His efforts earned him a Freshman All-SEC honor for his work following the conclusion of the season. He also excelled on special teams, averaging 21.6 yards per return while representing one of eight SEC players and one of 11 freshmen in FBS to have two 30-yard-plus kick returns. In the classroom, Baugh was named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll and Freshman All-SEC team. Florida's starting running back was also named to the Paul Hornung Award preseason watch list last week, which is given to the most versatile player in college football. About the Doak Walker Award The Doak Walker Award is presented to college football's most outstanding running back and was named after SMU's three-time All-American Doak Walker when it was created back in 1989. The award not only recognizes student-athletes' abilities on the field, but also their dedication to work within the community and the classroom. The 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award are chosen by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum in November. The three finalists for the award are chosen in early December by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, which is comprised of past award recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-American running backs, media members, and a few selected special representatives. The award winner will be announced live at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Friday, Dec. 12. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida football DL Caleb Banks named to Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
Florida football DL Caleb Banks named to Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List Florida football defensive lineman Caleb Banks has been named to the 2024 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List, an honor that recognizes the nation's top defensive player who excels both on and off the field. Banks, a redshirt senior from Detroit, Michigan, is one of 42 student-athletes nationwide selected by the Lott IMPACT Trophy Board of Directors for consideration. The award–named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott–spotlights players who demonstrate Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. The Lott IMPACT Trophy winner will be announced in December during a nationally televised ceremony in Newport Beach, California. After transferring to the Florida Gators in 2023, Banks quickly became a force on the Gators' defensive line. In the 2024 season, he recorded 21 total tackles, including seven for loss and 4.5 sacks. Banks' disruptive presence up front earned him SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors following a dominant performance against the Ole Miss Rebels, where he notched 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He also forced and recovered a fumble in Florida's win over the LSU Tigers, finishing the game with a career-high 64 snaps and the top PFF grade of his season. Off the field, Banks is a two-time member of the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, underscoring his commitment in the classroom. His leadership, both vocally and by example, has made him a foundational piece of the Gators' defensive identity entering the 2025 season. Originally from Southfield A&T High School in Michigan, Banks joined the Orange and Blue after two seasons with the Louisville Cardinals. He is expected to play a significant role for Florida's defensive front this fall as the Gators look to make some noise in the SEC. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Florida football LB RJ Moten earns NFL rookie minicamp invitation from Philadelphia
Former Florida football LB RJ Moten earns NFL rookie minicamp invitation from Philadelphia Florida football's senior linebacker did not hear his name called during the 2025 NFL draft, but RJ Moten still might make it into the professional ranks, thanks to an invitation to the Philadelphia Eagles' rookie minicamp. Moten is a legacy with the Gators through his dad, Ron Moten Sr., who played for the Gators from 1982-1986. Coincidentally — or not! — the elder was drafted in the sixth round by the same Eagles franchise, albeit almost 40 years ago. The younger Moten had already worked out with Philly during their local pro day before the draft. However, RJ was not always a linebacker. In fact, he arrived in Gainesville listed at safety following his first two collegiate seasons with the Michigan Wolverines. Then last season, he switched from the defensive backfield on the advice of defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong. "I have always wanted to play linebacker, actually," Moten said last October. "I think I knew going into the next level, I was definitely going to move to linebacker, but it was just one day where coach Armstrong was, like, 'You're getting too big.' I think it was a time in the winter, I was, like, 230 at one point. He was, like, 'Okay, we're not going to put you in the post anymore in the SEC.' It was like, 'How do you feel about moving to linebacker?' "I think that was just God's way of telling me, 'Look, this is your opportunity. Just go run with it.'" At that point, the paths of the father and son merged. Hopefully, the story plays out the same and the younger Moten makes it to the professional gridiron. RJ Moten's career stats with Florida football After transferring from Michigan after the 2022 season, Moten played in 18 games for the Gators, totalling 31 tackles (14 solo) — which includes four tackles for a loss and a half-sack — along with a pass defender, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. He also made the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll for 2023-24, as well as the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, en route to his bachelor's degree in sociology, which he completed in the fall term of 2024. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
