Oklahoma Sooners superstar transfer ranked as one of the best in college football at his position by prominent analyst

The Oklahoma Sooners pulled off a heist in the spring transfer portal when they managed to nab former Cal running back Jaydn Ott out of the portal. The Sooners are immediately turning the keys to the offense over to Ott, and he is expected to be their lead back for the upcoming season, leading a room that already returned Xavier Robinson, Taylor Tatum, and Jovantae Barnes. 

Just how good is Ott? Former Alabama quarterback and ESPN analyst Greg McElroy ranked Ott as a top-10 running back in the country heading into the 2025 season:

"He wasn't, at any point last year, healthy and his stats regressed. His usage was down as well. But if you look at what Jaydn Ott was in 2023 and prior to 2023, the guy was one of the best in the country. Preseason All-American nominee, Preseason All-Pac-12, Pac 12 Offensive Player of the Year conversation. He's that type of guy. He is still big-time. I'm willing to look at Ott through the whole prism of what he's done in his career rather than focus on last season."

McElroy is spot on with his analysis here. Ott was never healthy last season and played for a stagnant and stale Cal offense that was frequently overmatched much of the year. As talented as he is, it's no surprise that Ott's numbers dipped with those circumstances in mind.

That feels likely to change this season. Oklahoma's new offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, is anything but stale as an offensive play caller, and Ott will be playing behind a Sooners' offensive line that is poised to be significantly better than they were in 2024. 

With a creative playcaller scheming things up, a much better offensive line, and the added rushing threat of quarterback John Mateer opening things up for him, Ott has much more working in his favor this season than he did in 2024. The last time we saw things break right for him, he tallied up almost 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 14 total touchdowns. 

The Sooners haven't had a 1,000-yard rusher the last two seasons. If Ott is healthy and Oklahoma meets expectations, that feels likely to end in 2025.