GAINESVILLE — Florida star tailback Jadan Baugh returned home to the Atlanta area during the Gators’ bye expecting a homecoming. He left with a permanent place in his high school’s history.

Baugh’s No. 3 became just the fourth jersey retired at Decatur Columbia, a small 2A high school east of the Peach State capitol he visited for his alma mater’s 43-0 win against Atlanta Carver.

“I didn’t even know they were going to do that,” Baugh recalled Monday. “When they did it, it was very exciting.”

This week, Baugh knows exactly what’s waiting for him in Atlanta — a rivalry game with Georgia he’s circled on his calendar.

The 20-year-old hopes to leave Mercedes-Benz Stadium with another memory to cherish, but he’s trying to stay level-headed by following the advice of his father and biggest fan, Corey Bryant.

“It means everything to me,” Baugh said of Saturday’s matchup. “But I’m trying not to put too much emotion into it because one thing my Dad always preached to me is, ‘Don’t get excited.’ If you get too excited, you’ll be overly ready for the moment.”

The No. 17 Gators (5-2, 3-2 SEC) enter a pivotal SEC showdown against the No. 3 Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1) looking to spring another surprise.

Baugh’s bounce-back performance in Florida’s Oct. 17 win at Texas helped reignite a ground game that had stalled during consecutive double-digit losses to Missouri and South Carolina.

Yards didn’t came easily for Baugh in Austin. At one point, he left the game after a Texas defender slammed him to the ground and knocked the wind out of him.

But the 6-foot, 222-pound junior kept grinding, accepting tough yards until he finally broke free for runs of 13 and 11 yards. They were his only double-digits gains of the day, but the latter proved decisive, delivering the game-winning score in Florida’s 27-24 victory.

Baugh showed the grit and toughness that had been largely unnecessary while he averaged 150 yards during four dominant September victories — and was conspicuously absent during Florida’s ensuing losses.

“It means everything,” he said. “Even coming to college, it was kind of hard for me because in high school, I wanted to break every run. I was trying to do everything and not understanding that some runs are going to be ugly runs, put your head down and just go.

“That Texas game actually showed me, ‘Hey, every run is not going to be a big run, but be patient. One of them is going to pop.’”

Baugh’s 91 yards on 25 carries did more than help move the chains. The workmanlike effort set the tone for his teammates.

“It affects our entire team,” coach Jon Sumrall said Monday. “Because now everybody is playing with that physical edge and the mindset he played with. And so, it creates confidence in your team.”

Baugh’s hard-nosed approach dates to his days in Decatur, where lined up at safety, outside linebacker, defensive end, quarterback and receiver before settling in at tailback as a senior after 1,000-yard rusher Royce Tolbert moved on to college.

Georgia’s Kirby Smart took notice of Columbia’s sophomore Swiss Army knife, a versatile prospect able to line up just about anywhere.

But Smart saw Baugh’s future on defense. The 15-year-old had other plans.

“They wanted me on the defensive side of the ball, but I didn’t want to play defense,” Baugh said.

Smart and defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann were not swayed by Baugh’s breakout senior season. He rushed for 1,583 yards and for 19 touchdowns on just 113 carries and caught 28 passes for 531 yards and six scores, but also added six interceptions, seven pass break-ups and 54 stops as a safety.

“I let them know I wanted to be on the offensive side of the ball and they understood that, so we went in different directions,” Baugh said.

Baugh left Columbia as one of Georgia’s most intriguing young prospects. His return last Friday, now a star at Florida, offered a reminder how differently his career could have unfolded.

Baugh’s decision to sign with Georgia’s fiercest rival adds a juicy subplot to Saturday’s showdown, even within a family featuring some Bulldogs’ backers.

“Some of them are Georgia fans, some of them are Florida fans,” he said. “But when it comes to this game, they’re all Florida fans.”

Baugh is still scrambling to secure tickets for the game, with as many as 30 family members hoping to attend. But once the ball is kicked, family loyalties will take a back seat. The Gators’ star has a homecoming to celebrate — and a five-game losing streak against Georgia to end.

“It’s a big opportunity,” he said. “Coach told us this morning, everything we want is going to be there. We’re going to be in a great position to show our talent and I can’t wait to see our team show their talent. Forget what I do.

“I just can’t wait to see them boys go out there with smiles on their faces and just play the game we love.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Up next

What: No. 17 UF (5-2, 3-2) vs. No. 3 Georgia (6-1, 4-1)

When: 3:30 p.m., Saturday

Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

TV: ABC

Favorite: Georgia by 10.5 points