The Oklahoma Sooners have a new starting running back after garnering a commitment Tuesday from ex-California star Jaydn Ott.
The rising senior played for Justin Wilcox and the Golden Bears for three seasons. As a true freshman in 2022, Ott earned third-team All-Pac-12 honors and made the Freshman All-American Team.
The Chino, CA., native burst on the scene in Week 4 of his freshman campaign by rushing for 274 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-31 home win over Arizona.
Ott started 10 of 12 games in 2022, rushing for 897 yards and eight TDs while averaging 5.3 yards per carry. He added 46 receptions for 321 yards and three TDs.
In 2023, Ott was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection after producing 1,305 rushing yards and 12 TDs with a 5.3 YPC average. He also had 26 catches for 196 yards and two TDs.
With a 3-6 record, Cal needed a three-game winning streak to get bowl eligible going into its last three contests. Ott ran for 167 yards and one TD on 27 attempts to spark Wilcox’s squad to a 42-39 home win over Washington St. for its fourth win. He also had three catches for 18 yards and one TD against the Cougars.
Ott led Cal to a 27-15 win at Stanford the following week, rushing 36 times for 166 yards and one TD. Then in the regular-season finale, the Golden Bears won a 33-7 decision at UCLA with Ott rushing for 80 yards on 21 carries.
Ott was limited to 10 games and fewer touches due to various injuries last season. He had only 385 rushing yards, four TDs and a meager 3.3 YPC average. Ott had just 24 receptions for 222 yards and one TD.
Nevertheless, Ott’s 3,460 career all-purpose yards rank third among all returning FBS RBs.
Brent Venables also used the portal to attain his 2025 starting QB in former Washington St. signal caller John Mateer. The native Texan completed 64.6 percent of his passes for 3,139 yards with a 29/7 touchdown-to-interception ratio last year.
Mateer, a dual-threat QB, also had 826 rushing yards, 15 TDs and a 4.6 YPC average for the Cougars.
The Sooners also announced Tuesday that they’re signing former Stanford OL Jake Maikkula, who started 11 games for the Cardinal last season and has two remaining years of eligibility.
FanDuel has Oklahoma with 75/1 odds to win the College Football Playoff. The Sooners have 40/1 odds to win the SEC Championship Game, and their season win total is 6.5 (‘over’ -148, ‘under’ +120).
FanDuel has Mateer with 33/1 odds to win the Heisman Trophy.