Skip to main content
oklahoma logo

OU lands star Cal RB Jaydn Ott in transfer portal

headshotby:George Stoia•about 12 hours•

GeorgeStoia

Jaydn-Ott-2

OU has landed star Cal running back Jaydn Ott from the transfer portal, the school announced on Tuesday.

In three seasons at Cal, Ott was spectacular and considered one of the best backs in the country. As a freshman, he totaled 897 yards and eight touchdowns on 170 carries. In 2023, 1,315 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns, which led the Pac-12. He was also a first-team All Pac-12 selection in 2023, as well as an honorable mention All-American by Phil Steele. Last season, Ott battled several injuries, totaling only 385 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

Prior to his time at Cal, Ott was a four-star prospect out of Norco and Bishop Gorman High School. He rushed for 2236 yards and 30 touchdowns in his high school career.

This is a big win for new GM Jim Nagy and his staff, as Ott is widely considered one of the best players to enter the spring transfer portal. The Oklahoma running back currently still has veterans Gavin Sawchuk and Jovantae Barnes, as well as sophomores Xavier Robinson and Taylor Tatum, and true freshman Tory Blaylock. Sam Franklin announced his intentions to transfer on Tuesday. And there could be more moves coming for the Sooners in the running back room.

“Seen a lot of really good things from them,” new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle said about the running backs. “They’re dialed in pass protection. Coach Murray, he harps on pass protection with them, understanding where their eyes are supposed to be, who their certain pickup is. They’re dialed in that. They’ve been able to run the ball downhill hard. We’ve done a lot of thud practices, so you don’t always get to see exactly, does the running back make ’em miss there? Ah, we think he did. Who knows. But they’ve shown up every day, and they’ve done some great things out of the backfield. They’ve done some great things inside the box in pass protection. Great group of kids.”

But with Ott’s addition, he is clearly RB1 for OU. His dynamic playmaking ability brings an element to the running back room that has been missing for several years.

And Oklahoma likely isn’t done in the spring portal. The Sooners also signed Stanford interior offensive lineman Jake Maikkula on Tuesday. Nagy and OU are still looking to add a tight end, cornerback and kicker, among others.

Stay tuned to SoonerScoop.com as the portal continues to unfold.

You may also like