We’ve entered the dog days of the football summer off-season, so what does that mean? It’s officially Top Ten Opposing Players time! This summer leading up to the 2026 season, we’ll be exploring the top 10 offensive and defensive players Mizzou football is slated to face this fall. We’re not ranking them 1-10, it’s much more scientific then that (or linguistic since we are just ordering them alphabetically.) We kick off this summer’s TTOP with a dynamic running back from Florida and a fearsome safety
from Georgia. Let’s get to it!
Jaden Baugh
School: Florida
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Position: RB
Class: Junior
Height: 6-1
Weight: 228 lbs.
What He’s Done
Jaden Baugh arrived at Florida as a four-star recruit from Atlanta and immediately looked the part of an SEC running back. Large, even for the SEC, the 6-1 and 231 pound back combines power, balance and surprising acceleration for a player his size.
As a true freshman in 2024, Baugh became increasingly important to Florida’s offense as the season progressed. He finished the year with 673 rushing yards, averaged more than five yards per carry and scored eight rushing touchdowns. Several of his best performances came against quality competition, helping Florida establish a more consistent rushing attack during the second half of the season.
Baugh carried that momentum into 2025, when he emerged as the centerpiece of the Gators’ offense. He rushed for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the SEC’s most productive backs while earning preseason and postseason recognition around the conference. His combination of size and physical running style made him difficult to bring down in the open field and especially effective in short-yardage situations.
What separates Baugh from many power backs is his ability to create explosive plays once he reaches the second level. Florida coaches have consistently praised his strength and work ethic, and his rapid development has transformed him from a promising freshman into one of the league’s premier ball carriers.
What He’ll Do
Baugh enters the 2025 season as the clear focal point of Florida’s offense, especially considering they will have a new starter at quarterback (and still haven’t decided who that starter will be.) With another off-season in the program and a stronger supporting cast around him, he is expected to receive a heavy workload and challenge for All-SEC honors.
The Gators will likely continue leaning on him in both traditional rushing situations and as a reliable pass catcher out of the backfield. His size makes him particularly effective near the goal line, while his vision allows him to exploit cutback lanes behind Florida’s veteran offensive line.
If Baugh remains healthy, a 1,200-yard season is well within reach. Opposing defenses will undoubtedly focus on slowing him down, but few SEC teams possess the depth necessary to consistently handle a back with his blend of power and explosiveness over four quarters. He enters the season as one of the conference’s most dangerous offensive weapons and a potential NFL prospect to watch.
Mizzou Matchup
Mizzou will get its first look at Jadan Baugh when the Tigers travel to Gainesville in 2025. While there is no head-to-head history between Baugh and the Tigers (Mizzou hasn’t faced the Gators since 2023), the sophomore running back figures to be one of the primary concerns for a Tigers defense replacing several key contributors from last season.
Baugh’s size presents a different challenge than many of the SEC’s premier running backs. He combines downhill power with enough speed to create explosive plays once he reaches the second level. Missouri’s defensive front will have to be disciplined with gap assignments because Baugh has shown the patience to wait for a crease and the acceleration to punish mistakes.
Expect defensive coordinator Corey Batoon to prioritize limiting Florida’s rushing attack on early downs. If Missouri can force the Gators into obvious passing situations, it can reduce Baugh’s influence on the game and put more pressure on Florida’s passing attack.
The Tigers’ defensive tackles may ultimately determine the outcome of the matchup. Baugh is most effective when he can build momentum between the tackles and wear down defenses over four quarters. Missouri will need to win at the point of attack and avoid allowing Florida’s offensive line to consistently reach the second level.
Baugh enters 2025 as one of the SEC’s rising stars at running back. If Missouri can keep him from generating explosive runs and force Florida to play from behind the chains, the Tigers will give themselves a chance to leave Gainesville with a road victory. If not, Baugh has the talent and workload to take over the game.
KJ Bolden
School: Georgia
Hometown: Buford, GA
Position: DB
Class: Junior
Height: 6-0
Weight: 195 lbs.
What He’s Done
KJ Bolden arrived at Georgia in 2024 as one of the most coveted recruits in the nation. A native of Buford, Georgia, the 6-0, 185 lbs. defensive back was a five-star prospect who wasted little time making an impact in Athens.
As a true freshman, Bolden immediately earned a starting role in Georgia’s secondary and finished the season with 59 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one interception. His ability to play both safety spots and cover large areas of the field helped him earn a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team and Freshman All-America recognition.
Rather than experiencing a sophomore slump, Bolden took another significant step forward in 2025. He finished the season with 76 tackles, two interceptions and five pass breakups while serving as the leader of one of the nation’s best defenses. His instincts, range and ball skills made him one of the most difficult defensive backs in the country to throw against.
The postseason accolades followed. Bolden earned second-team All-American honors after establishing himself as one of the SEC’s premier defensive playmakers. Whether playing deep safety, matching up against slot receivers or helping in run support, he consistently found ways to impact games. His development from elite recruit to elite player has been remarkably quick.
What He’ll Do
Bolden enters 2026 as the centerpiece of Georgia’s secondary and one of the top defensive backs in college football. With multiple years of starting experience and a proven track record against SEC competition, he is expected to be a preseason All-American and a leader of another championship-caliber defense.
Georgia’s coaching staff values his versatility because he can line up almost anywhere in the secondary. He has the range to patrol center field, the physicality to support against the run and the coverage skills to match up with tight ends and slot receivers. That flexibility allows Smart and defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann to disguise coverages and create confusion for opposing quarterbacks.
Expect offenses to continue avoiding Bolden whenever possible. Even so, his instincts and football IQ should continue producing turnovers and impact plays. If he builds upon his sophomore campaign, he could enter the 2027 NFL Draft conversation as one of the top defensive backs available.
Mizzou Matchup
Mizzou has not faced Georgia since 2023, meaning the Tigers have yet to see KJ Bolden on the field. By the time Georgia visits Columbia in 2025, however, Bolden may be the most complete defensive back in college football.
While many safeties excel in one area, Bolden can impact a game in virtually every phase. He is physical enough to help against the run, athletic enough to cover slot receivers and instinctive enough to erase mistakes on the back end. That versatility presents a unique challenge for Chip Lindsey and quarterback Austin Simmons. Georgia frequently moves Bolden around the formation, making it difficult for offenses to identify coverage before the snap. One play he might be aligned as a deep safety. The next, he could be covering a receiver in the slot or blitzing from the edge.
The Tigers’ best strategy may be forcing Bolden into difficult decisions. Motion, bunch formations and play-action could help create hesitation and prevent him from freely impacting every passing concept. Mizzou will also need to avoid obvious passing situations where Bolden’s instincts and range become even more dangerous.
The reality is that Georgia’s defense asks opponents to be patient, and Bolden is one of the biggest reasons why. Simmons cannot afford to force throws into coverage or assume a receiver is open simply because a defender appears out of position. Few players recover faster than Bolden. If Mizzou hopes to pull an upset, it will need to make Georgia’s star safety a spectator rather than a playmaker. That is easier said than done against one of the nation’s premier defensive backs.
