Oklahoma lands top transfer running back Jaydn Ott, adding explosive talent and experience to the Sooners’ backfield for the 2025 season.
In a college football era dominated by the transfer portal, the University of Oklahoma just made one of the biggest moves of the 2025 offseason. The Sooners have officially added Jaydn Ott, the No. 1 running back in the transfer portal, in a move that instantly upgrades their backfield and sends a clear message: Oklahoma is reloading, not rebuilding.
Ott, who starred at Cal over the past three seasons, brings an explosive skill set, proven production, and big-game experience to Norman. With the Sooners heading into their second season in the SEC, Ott’s arrival comes at a perfect time as Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Seth Littrell continue building a roster capable of contending in the most competitive conference in college football.
A Proven Star from the Pac-12
Jaydn Ott was one of the few bright spots on a struggling Cal offense during his time in Berkeley. In 2024, he rushed for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He also added 41 receptions for 360 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air, proving himself as a true three-down back.
Over three seasons at Cal, Ott amassed 3,208 rushing yards, 28 rushing touchdowns, and over 800 receiving yards. He was a two-time All-Pac-12 selection and known for his vision, balance, and burst through the hole. At 6-foot, 205 pounds, Ott combines power and finesse, often compared to former NFL standout Clinton Portis.
“Ott is the real deal,” said one Pac-12 defensive coordinator last fall. “He can beat you inside, outside, and is a problem in the passing game. He’s an NFL back.”
With one year of eligibility remaining, Ott hit the portal in late April after Cal’s spring practices. Within days, he drew interest from top-tier programs like Alabama, Texas, USC, and Penn State. But it was Oklahoma that sealed the deal.
Why Ott Chose Oklahoma
In his commitment announcement, Ott cited multiple reasons for choosing the Sooners.
“Coach Venables is building something special,” Ott wrote on social media. “I wanted to be part of a culture where I could grow as a player and a man. The SEC is the best conference in the country, and I’m ready for that challenge. I believe in the vision, and I believe I can help Oklahoma win.”
Behind the scenes, sources indicate that Littrell’s offensive philosophy and a strong NIL package played key roles in Ott’s decision. The Sooners were also able to point to their history of producing elite running backs—from Adrian Peterson to Joe Mixon to Kennedy Brooks—and convince Ott that Norman was the ideal place to showcase his talents on a national stage.
What Ott Brings to the Sooners
Ott immediately becomes the most experienced and dynamic back on Oklahoma’s roster. The Sooners return several young backs, including redshirt sophomore Kalib Hicks and true sophomore Xavier Robinson, but none with Ott’s resume or production.
Ott’s versatility will be a major asset. He excels in zone schemes, is patient behind blockers, and possesses home-run speed when he finds daylight. His ability to catch out of the backfield gives Littrell even more flexibility in designing a dynamic offense that can stress SEC defenses vertically and horizontally.
“He’s not just a runner—he’s a complete weapon,” said an anonymous Big 12 assistant. “Ott gives you a guy who can line up in the slot, run option routes, and take a screen 50 yards. That’s rare.”
Depth and Competition in the Backfield
While Ott projects as RB1 heading into fall camp, Oklahoma now boasts a deep and talented running back room. Hicks showed flashes late in the 2024 season, rushing for 387 yards and 3 touchdowns on just 58 carries. Robinson, the former Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year, offers a bruising 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame that wears down defenses in the second half.
Incoming freshman Aaron Flowers, a four-star recruit from Texas, is also expected to push for playing time. The addition of Ott not only brings experience but also raises the level of competition in the room—something that Venables values highly.
“We want iron to sharpen iron,” Venables said last season. “Every position should feel competitive. That’s how you build champions.”
With Ott leading the way, Oklahoma now has the kind of depth SEC programs need to survive the grind of an eight-game conference schedule plus the new expanded College Football Playoff format.
Offensive Outlook for 2025
The addition of Jaydn Ott comes at a critical time for the Sooners. In 2024, Oklahoma finished 9-4 in its first season in the SEC but struggled to establish consistency on offense. Quarterback Jackson Arnold showed flashes of brilliance but battled injuries and growing pains. The offensive line, while talented, lacked cohesion. And the run game ranked just 7th in the SEC in yards per carry.
With Ott in the backfield, the Sooners now have a dynamic playmaker who can relieve pressure on Arnold and open up the passing game for returning wideouts like Nic Anderson and Jalil Farooq.
Littrell, in his second year as offensive coordinator, is expected to lean more heavily on the ground game. Ott’s presence could also help in the red zone, an area where Oklahoma left points on the board too often last season.
“This gives us a chance to be more balanced, more explosive, and more efficient,” Littrell said after Ott’s commitment. “Jaydn is the kind of back who changes the game plan for defenses.”
Impact on the SEC Race
Make no mistake—landing Ott is not just about Oklahoma’s offense. It’s a move that shifts the balance of power in the SEC West. While Georgia and Alabama continue to recruit at elite levels, the Sooners are quietly assembling a roster that can compete toe-to-toe.
Ott’s arrival could be the difference in close games against top-tier opponents. In 2024, Oklahoma lost tight contests to LSU and Ole Miss in which the inability to sustain drives or finish in the red zone proved costly. With Ott’s ability to convert third-and-shorts and pop big plays, the Sooners gain a game-changer who can help swing momentum.
Early projections already have Oklahoma ranked in the top 12 for the preseason AP Poll, and Ott’s transfer will only boost those expectations.
NFL Scouts Take Notice
Ott was already on the radar of NFL scouts after his stellar 2023 and 2024 seasons at Cal, but transferring to Oklahoma gives him a bigger stage and a higher level of weekly competition. The SEC is widely considered the closest thing to the NFL in terms of speed, size, and complexity.
A strong season in Norman could solidify Ott as a Day 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Scouts have praised his vision, quick acceleration, and natural hands out of the backfield. His performance against top SEC defenses will provide a clearer evaluation of his pro potential.
“Ott has all the tools,” said an AFC West scout. “What you want to see is how he handles the week-to-week grind of SEC play and how he holds up in pass protection. If he checks those boxes, he’s a high-ceiling back.”
The Transfer Portal Era Strikes Again
Ott’s move to Oklahoma is also another reminder of how dramatically the transfer portal has changed college football. Just a few years ago, a player of Ott’s caliber likely would’ve stayed at one school his entire career. But in today’s landscape, elite players are seeking new opportunities, better fits, and stronger platforms to showcase their abilities.
For Oklahoma, it’s a validation of their approach to the portal: aggressive but targeted. Venables and his staff didn’t add a dozen transfers—they pursued the right ones. And in Ott, they landed the crown jewel of this cycle.
“We’re building a championship team, one piece at a time,” Venables said. “Jaydn is a big piece of that puzzle.”
What’s Next for the Sooners
With Ott on board, Oklahoma’s spring momentum continues into the summer. The Sooners are still in play for a few more transfers on the defensive side, particularly in the secondary. But offensively, they appear locked and loaded for the 2025 season.
Fans will get their first glimpse of Ott in an Oklahoma uniform during fall camp and the Red-White scrimmage. By the time the Sooners open the season against Tulane, expectations will be sky-high.
And for good reason. With Jaydn Ott in the backfield, Oklahoma just got a whole lot more dangerous.
