Skip to main content
Oklahoma

OU football's Jaydn Ott expected to have bigger role vs. Michigan

headshotby: George Stoia09/02/25GeorgeStoia
Jaydn Ott
Oklahoma RB Jaydn Ott bursts down the fiedl during OU fall camp Aug. 1, 2025. Photo - Carey Murdock/SoonerScoop

The biggest story of the week in Norman has been the availability of running back Jaydn Ott.

Transferring from Cal in the spring, Ott was expected to be a key contributor for the Sooners this season. But after only receiving four snaps in the season opener against Illinois, some are confused by Ott’s absence in the offense.

On Tuesday, both coach Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle were asked about Ott and his role this week against No. 15 Michigan.

“Yeah, as I’ve said, he’s one of the more explosive players in college football,” Venables said. “He was banged up last year. He was banged up in camp, but looks to be close to 100%. And when he’s at his best, we’ve all seen people that know his journey, what he’s capable of. So he’s a real weapon, and I think he’ll play a real factor in our season moving forward. So I’m excited about that, to have another weapon like that on our offense. And we’re going to need him.”

OU could be without freshman running back Tory Blaylock on Saturday, after he suffered a shoulder injury in the opener. Blaylock was Oklahoma’s leading rusher with 44 yards. That means someone like Ott will have to step up.

“Jaydn Ott’s in a great headspace,” Arbuckle said. “I actually got to meet with him this morning, too, and Jaydn Ott’s in a great headspace, and I’m excited for this week and watching him get to go, watching him practice and getting him out there against Michigan.”

You may also like