Oklahoma GM Jim Nagy doles high praise for Jaydn Ott
Ott transferred to OU from California-Berkeley, where he was a first-team All-Pac 12 player two seasons ago. A lingering ankle injury last season limited Ott to just 385 yards on 116 carries, and he entered the transfer portal after the season. Nagy thinks if Ott had been healthy, he'd have gone to the NFL instead. Thus, the Sooners jumped on him.
"If he were healthy last year, he would be in the National Football League right now," Nagy told Crain and Co. at SEC media days. "He'd be starting on Sundays. I think he's an NFL starter. So when you get an opportunity, when you see Jadyn Ott go in the portal, like, man, we've got to be aggressive here."
In 2023, Ott ran 1,315 yards with 12 touchdowns on 246 carries. If healthy in 2025, those kinds of numbers previously suggest not only is Ott a talented back, but a workhorse. And Nagy believes Ott is ready to roll when Oklahoma's season gets underway August 30 against Illinois State.
"He looks like a million bucks," Nagy said. "He's working his tail off. His teammates are all fired up about him. ... He's been awesome. He's in great shape. Can't wait to get the pads on and watch him go."
Even if Ott doesn't run upwards of 250 times, Oklahoma should be fine in the backfield. The team's three leading running back rushers from last year - Jovantae Barnes, Taylor Tatum and Xavier Robinson - all return, as well. None of the three stood out as natural No. 1 last year, but with four different, experienced players at the position, plus Mateer's running ability, the Sooners' offense looks a lot scarier.
"We love our running back room, we have good running backs in there," Nagy said. "But when you have an opportunity to get a game-changer, I mean, Jaydn Ott can score from anywhere on the field."
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