Greg McElroy Includes Oklahoma’s Jaydn Ott in Top 10 Running Backs for 2025 Ahead of Upcoming Season.
The 2025 college football season is fast approaching, and fans, analysts, and former players alike are starting to take stock of the upcoming season’s top talent. One name that has recently garnered attention is Jaydn Ott, the standout running back for the Oklahoma Sooners. His inclusion in former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy’s prestigious list of top 10 running backs for the 2025 season has further solidified Ott’s place as one of the most exciting prospects in college football.
McElroy, a respected analyst with a keen eye for talent, has been an influential figure in evaluating college players, particularly when it comes to the running back position. His top 10 list is often a point of reference for fans and experts alike, with players featured on it receiving immediate recognition. By placing Jaydn Ott among this elite group, McElroy has highlighted not only Ott’s impressive abilities but also his potential to elevate Oklahoma’s offense to new heights.
In this article, we will take a deeper look at why Jaydn Ott has earned such high praise, what makes him stand out among the top running backs in the country, and how he could be a major contributor to the Sooners’ success in the 2025 season.
Jaydn Ott: The Rising Star
Jaydn Ott’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of impressive. A highly recruited running back out of California, Ott’s decision to play for the Oklahoma Sooners was a major one, signaling his intention to compete at the highest level of college football. From the moment he set foot on campus, Ott made an immediate impact, showcasing his blend of speed, power, and agility that makes him a threat in both the running and passing game.
Ott’s sophomore season in 2024 was his breakthrough year. He quickly became one of the focal points of Oklahoma’s offense, proving to be a versatile and dynamic running back who could thrive in a variety of situations. He exhibited incredible vision and patience as a runner, able to read blocks and find creases in the defense with ease. His ability to accelerate through small openings, combined with his top-end speed, made him difficult to tackle and an explosive playmaker.
In addition to his rushing ability, Ott also demonstrated impressive hands in the passing game. He was used frequently as a receiving option out of the backfield, making several key catches for first downs and showcasing his ability to turn short receptions into big plays. His versatility and well-rounded skill set made him one of the most exciting young running backs in college football.
As a result of his performances in 2024, Ott quickly gained attention from NFL scouts and analysts. His combination of speed, agility, and vision placed him in a category with some of the best running backs in the country. When Greg McElroy included Ott in his top 10 list of running backs for the 2025 season, it was a sign that Ott’s potential was finally being recognized on a national stage.
Why Greg McElroy’s Ranking Matters
Greg McElroy’s opinion carries weight in the college football community, especially when it comes to evaluating talent. As a former quarterback for Alabama, McElroy has an intimate understanding of what makes a running back stand out. His experience in analyzing the game from a quarterback’s perspective gives him a unique vantage point in assessing how running backs fit into offensive schemes, their ability to make plays under pressure, and their overall impact on the game.
McElroy’s list of top running backs for 2025 is a reflection of his deep understanding of the college football landscape and his ability to identify players who are poised to make an impact. For a running back to make it into McElroy’s top 10, they need to possess more than just talent; they must demonstrate an ability to change the course of a game, dominate in various aspects of the offense, and show the consistency required to perform at an elite level.
Ott’s inclusion in this list speaks volumes about his ability and his potential to continue to grow as a player. The Sooners’ offense will likely run through him in the 2025 season, and McElroy’s recognition confirms that Ott has the tools to be one of the best running backs in the country.
What Makes Jaydn Ott Stand Out
There are several factors that contribute to Jaydn Ott’s rise to prominence and why McElroy included him in his top 10 running backs list. These attributes make him one of the most complete and versatile players in college football today.
1. Vision and Patience
One of the most important traits for a running back is vision. Ott has an exceptional ability to read his blockers, recognize defensive schemes, and anticipate where the hole will open up. He is patient behind the line of scrimmage, allowing his offensive line to create opportunities before bursting through the line at top speed.
His patience is particularly evident on inside runs, where he waits for the offensive line to create lanes. This allows him to make the most out of every run, whether it’s a 5-yard gain or a breakaway touchdown. This skill is crucial for a running back, as it allows them to maximize their productivity on every play.
2. Speed and Agility
Ott is known for his incredible speed. Once he finds a gap, he has the ability to explode through it and break away from defenders. His long strides and acceleration are what make him a dangerous weapon in both the running and passing game. But it’s not just his top-end speed that makes him a threat—it’s his agility in tight spaces. Ott can make defenders miss with subtle jukes, sharp cuts, and quick direction changes, which makes him difficult to tackle.
This combination of speed and agility makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses, as he can turn what seems like a small gain into a huge run at any moment.
3. Power and Balance
While Ott is known for his speed, he also possesses the physicality required to be a powerful running back. He is tough to bring down, often breaking tackles or staying balanced through arm tackles. Ott’s ability to lower his shoulder and power through defenders, particularly in short-yardage or goal-line situations, adds an extra layer to his game.
4. Receiving Ability
A major reason why Ott is considered a top prospect for the 2025 season is his ability to contribute in the passing game. He is an adept receiver out of the backfield, capable of catching passes in stride and making defenders miss in the open field. This ability allows Oklahoma’s offense to remain dynamic and unpredictable, making it difficult for opposing defenses to anticipate whether they are going to run or pass.
His soft hands and ability to read the defense as a receiver make him a dual-threat weapon that defensive coordinators must account for. Ott’s versatility in the passing game adds a significant dimension to his profile as one of the top running backs in the nation.
Oklahoma’s Offensive Scheme and How It Benefits Ott
The Oklahoma Sooners’ offense is known for its up-tempo, pass-heavy attack. Under head coach Brent Venables, the team has focused on utilizing dynamic playmakers, and Ott fits seamlessly into this philosophy. His skill set as a well-rounded back allows the offense to use him in a variety of ways.
Whether it’s as a traditional running back in the I-formation, as a pass-catching weapon in space, or even as a decoy in play-action schemes, Ott is a vital piece of the Sooners’ offensive puzzle. His ability to create mismatches against defenders, combined with Oklahoma’s creative play calling, makes him an even more dangerous player.
With the Sooners likely to lean heavily on Ott in the 2025 season, his role as a focal point of the offense will continue to grow. The coaching staff will design more plays to get him the ball in open space, and it’s expected that Ott will be a primary contributor in both the ground game and the passing attack.
What’s Next for Jaydn Ott
With his inclusion in Greg McElroy’s top 10 running backs for 2025, Jaydn Ott’s name will only continue to gain recognition as the season approaches. Fans and scouts alike will be watching closely to see if he can take his game to the next level and lead the Oklahoma Sooners to another successful season.
For Ott, the 2025 season represents an opportunity to build on his impressive 2024 campaign and cement his place as one of the top running backs in college football. If he can continue to develop and refine his skills, there’s little doubt that he will be one of the most highly sought-after players in the 2026 NFL Draft.
As the 2025 season kicks off, fans of the Oklahoma Sooners will be looking to Ott to lead the charge. And with McElroy’s endorsement, Ott has more than enough motivation to continue to prove that he belongs among the best in the country.
Greg McElroy’s decision to include Jaydn Ott in his top 10 running backs for 2025 speaks to the immense talent and potential that Ott possesses. With his combination of speed, power, agility, and receiving ability, Ott has all the tools to be a game-changer for the Oklahoma Sooners in the upcoming season. As he continues to grow and develop, there’s no doubt that Ott will be a major player in the college football landscape, and the 2025 season could very well be his breakout year.
For Oklahoma, the future of their offense looks bright with Jaydn Ott leading the way. His skill set makes him one of the most exciting running backs in the country, and the Sooners will lean heavily on him to help propel them to success in 2025 and beyond. As Ott continues to garner national attention, it’s clear that his journey is just beginning, and the best may be yet to come.
