OKLAHOMA SCORE BIG: Oklahoma Lands Top Transfer RB Jaydn Ott, Sending Shockwaves Through College Football
The Oklahoma Sooners just pulled off a thunderclap of a move that could reshape the landscape of college football heading into the 2025 season. In a bold and high-stakes maneuver, OU has landed one of the most electrifying talents in the transfer portal: former Cal Golden Bears running back Jaydn Ott.
Ott’s decision to commit to Brent Venables and the Sooners sent shockwaves through the Big 12 and the entire nation. The 6-foot, 200-pound All-Pac-12 standout brings an elite combination of speed, vision, and toughness to Norman, and his arrival cements Oklahoma as a legitimate College Football Playoff threat in their debut season in the SEC.
Let’s break down how Ott’s transfer came to be, why he fits like a glove in Norman, and what it means for the future of Oklahoma football.
Jaydn Ott: The Game-Changer from the Golden Coast
Jaydn Ott isn’t your ordinary transfer. He’s not a backup looking for a bigger role or a fringe player hoping to prove himself at a new school. He’s a certified star, a feature back who posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at Cal, despite playing behind one of the Pac-12’s most inconsistent offensive lines. In 2024, Ott racked up 1,212 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, adding 312 yards receiving and 3 more scores. That’s 1,500+ yards from scrimmage against Power Five defenses.
He’s got elite burst, underrated power between the tackles, and maybe most importantly—an edge. Ott’s a competitor. He brings attitude, confidence, and an old-school mentality that should quickly endear him to Sooner fans and fit perfectly with the toughness Venables is preaching.
His skill set is tailor-made for the SEC. He doesn’t shy from contact, he thrives in chaos, and he has the kind of breakaway speed that can flip the field in a heartbeat.
Why Oklahoma?
When Ott hit the portal, just about every program in America checked in. But he chose Oklahoma.
Why?
Because Venables, offensive coordinator Seth Littrell, and running backs coach DeMarco Murray made him feel wanted, needed, and central to the vision for OU’s new SEC era. Ott saw a program on the rise. He saw a need for an RB1 to come in and take the reins. And he saw an opportunity to play in big games, on big stages, with national stakes.
“I wanted to go somewhere I could win and be part of something big,” Ott said during his commitment interview. “Oklahoma felt like home. Coach Venables has a plan, and I believe in it. I want to compete with the best in the SEC and show what I can do.”
The Sooners return some young talent in the backfield—most notably sophomore Caleb Hicks and incoming freshman Taylor Tatum, a five-star recruit—but Ott immediately becomes the featured back. There’s no question. This is his show now.
Immediate Impact on the Offense
With Dillon Gabriel off to the NFL and five-star phenom Jackson Arnold taking over at quarterback, Oklahoma’s offense is going through a transformation. Arnold brings a dual-threat dimension, and Littrell is installing a more physical, downhill run scheme to complement his big arm.
Enter Jaydn Ott.
He gives the offense a proven playmaker who can ease pressure on Arnold, control the tempo, and bring balance to the attack. He’s a safety valve in the passing game and a hammer in the red zone. He gives OU something they lacked consistently last season—a workhorse.
Here’s how Ott could transform the Sooners’ offense:
- Early Downs: Ott can keep the chains moving and help avoid obvious passing downs.
- Play Action: With defenses focused on Ott, Arnold should have more room to work the middle of the field and hit shots deep.
- Red Zone: Ott’s nose for the end zone could drastically improve OU’s red zone efficiency, an area where they struggled in 2024.
Bottom line: Ott changes the math. Opposing defenses will have to game plan around him, which opens up everything else.
Big Picture: What This Means for Oklahoma in 2025
With Ott in the backfield and Arnold under center, Oklahoma’s offense suddenly looks SEC-ready. Throw in a talented receiving corps—led by Nic Anderson, Jaquaize Pettaway, and Georgia transfer De’Nylon Morrissette—and this offense is loaded with speed and versatility.
The Sooners’ move to the SEC was always going to come with growing pains, but now they’ve got a veteran playmaker who’s not afraid of the moment.
And don’t overlook the psychological aspect of Ott’s arrival. Landing a big-time name like Ott sends a message to the rest of the conference: Oklahoma isn’t coming to survive in the SEC—they’re coming to win.
With Ott in the fold, here’s what Oklahoma’s offensive depth chart could look like:
QB – Jackson Arnold
RB – Jaydn Ott
WR1 – Nic Anderson
WR2 – De’Nylon Morrissette
WR3 – Jaquaize Pettaway
TE – Kade McIntyre
LT – Jacob Sexton
LG – Cayden Green
C – Troy Everett
RG – Jake Taylor
RT – Savion Byrd
That’s a unit capable of putting up serious points against SEC defenses.
Reactions from Around the Country
The reaction to Ott’s decision has been swift and strong.
Kirk Herbstreit: “Jaydn Ott to Oklahoma is a massive move. That’s a guy who’s already proven himself, and now he’s going to be the feature back in a high-octane SEC offense. OU just got a lot scarier.”
Josh Pate (Late Kick): “This is what Oklahoma has to do in the SEC—go get difference-makers. Jaydn Ott is a difference-maker.”
DeMarco Murray: “We’re getting a guy who’s hungry, who plays the game the right way, and who’s ready to compete at the highest level. I couldn’t be more excited to work with him.”
The Road Ahead
For Jaydn Ott, this move represents more than just a change of scenery—it’s a business decision. With NFL scouts already taking notice of his tape at Cal, Ott now gets to showcase his talents on a national stage every Saturday in the SEC.
For Oklahoma, Ott could be the missing piece. The Sooners have recruited well, they’ve shored up the defense under Venables, and now they’ve landed a legitimate game-changer on offense.
The 2025 schedule won’t be easy, but with Ott in the backfield, OU has the kind of offensive balance that can hang with anyone. Games against Alabama, Georgia, and LSU won’t feel nearly as daunting with a star like Ott pounding the rock.
Final Word: A Perfect Match
Jaydn Ott to Oklahoma isn’t just a flashy portal win—it’s a statement. It’s a signal that Brent Venables is building something special in Norman, and elite players are buying in.
Ott could have gone anywhere. He chose the SEC. He chose the spotlight. He chose Oklahoma.
And now, with the nation watching, he’s ready to run wild in crimson and cream.