Jaydn Ott came into Oklahoma with sky-high expectations. After a breakout run at Cal where he led the Pac-12 in rushing in 2023, he was the top running back in the Transfer Portal-one of the most coveted offensive players available.
So when he landed in Norman, the anticipation was real. But by the end of the 2025 season, you’d be forgiven for forgetting he was even on the roster.
Ott’s time in crimson barely registered. He logged just 21 carries for 68 yards across six games-a stunning drop-off for a player once considered one of the most dynamic backs in college football.
Injuries played a role, sure, but the lack of production was still jarring. For a player with his pedigree, it was a senior season that left more questions than answers.
But then came the Senior Bowl. And Ott, seemingly out of nowhere, reminded everyone why he was so highly regarded in the first place.
During practices in Mobile, Alabama, Ott turned heads. He looked explosive, decisive, and-most importantly-healthy.
He followed that up with a strong showing in the game itself, finishing with eight carries for 42 yards and a five-yard touchdown. That’s 5.2 yards a pop against some of the top defensive prospects in the country.
It wasn’t just a solid outing-it was a statement.
What really stood out, though, was Ott’s honesty when reflecting on his rollercoaster college career. In a conversation with Travis May of A to Z Sports, Ott didn’t sugarcoat a thing.
“My career’s pretty much a big question mark,” he said. “First two seasons were pretty decent, and then the last two I just fell off the face of the earth.
I’m just excited to get out here and play ball, really. I haven’t had the chance to get on the field much and show that I can compete with some of the best.”
That kind of self-awareness isn’t just refreshing-it’s rare. Ott didn’t deflect.
He didn’t blame coaches, schemes, or injuries. He owned it.
And in doing so, he may have earned more respect from NFL scouts and Oklahoma fans than he ever did during his short stint in Norman.
Now, the question becomes: which version of Jaydn Ott will NFL teams be getting?
Is he the dominant back we saw at Cal and again in flashes during Senior Bowl week? Or is he the player who struggled to stay on the field and make an impact over the past two seasons?
That’s the gamble teams will have to weigh. But after a week in Mobile that reminded everyone what he’s capable of, Ott may have done just enough to get another shot. And if he can tap back into that 2023 form, some team might just walk away with one of the best value picks in the draft.