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Jaydn Ott clicking 'at the right time' for Oklahoma Sooners resurgent rushing attack

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By AJ Schulte | Last updated Oct 5, 2025 12:06 AM ET

Despite all the preseason hype entering the season, it's been an unremarkable start to the 2025 season for running back Jaydn Ott and the Oklahoma Sooners. The preseason All-SEC running back had just 17 yards on nine carries in the Sooners' first four games, and never quite looked like his old self on any of the carries.

Even with the slow start, head coach Brent Venables was steadfast with his belief in Ott and adamant that things would click as the season went on. Rumors abounded about Ott potentially considering a redshirt and transfer out, yet the Sooners' belief in Ott never abated.

Against Kent State, it looked like that belief is finally starting to take fruition. The transfer back had his best outing, posting 59 yards from scrimmage and creating plenty of big plays on the ground. It wasn't his best outing in his career, but it finally starts to feel like Ott is turning the corner at Oklahoma, and it's coming at the perfect time for the Sooners.

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Ott's Timing is Perfect For Sooners

After the game against Kent State, it was easy to hear the pride and happiness in Venables' voice when he talked about Ott and what he's done over the past two weeks. It's clear to see that this staff is beginning to trust him, and it paid off with Ott helping Oklahoma finish with their best game on the ground this season.

"It doesn't matter what's happened in the past. What matters most is what happens today. Good or bad, you learn from your mistakes. It was good to see him [Ott] out there and doing some things and answering some of the questions over the past week. He got into a nice rhythm, running with some power and some confidence. It's taken him a little longer, but he's right on time."

Ott had struggled with injuries and missed several weeks of practice right before the start of the season, limiting him to begin the year. His usage was puzzling, checking in at the end of games or on kick returns instead of being a regular part of the rotation, and it led to plenty of frustration from fans and analysts who believed Ott would be the key to this offense in 2025.

Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle spoke after the game against Kent State about what Ott brings to the team and the things they've seen from him in recent weeks that have led to him earning more of the rotation.

"He [Ott] has some great juice to his game. When he has the ball in his hands, he's got great awareness. He does a great job staying patient with his blocks, sticking his foot in and getting vertical, and finishing with his pads falling forward. What we've seen from him the last two weeks has been him preparing the right way."

With Oklahoma's date against the Texas Longhorns looming large, Jaydn Ott breaking out could be a huge factor in swaying that game in the Sooners' favor, especially with John Mateer's status officially unknown as of now. If the Sooners and Ott can get going on the ground and continue their elite run on defense, not many teams are going to be able to stop them.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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