Cal star running back and former 1,300-yard rusher Jaydn Ott is signing with the Oklahoma Sooners, according to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
The California native was a recruit in the class of 2022, and Colorado was a big player in his original recruitment. Under head coach Mike MacIntyre, the Buffs were the first college program to extend an offer to Ott back in 2018. After visiting the Buffs during the team’s 2021 USC game, the four-star recruit picked the hometown Bears over Wisconsin, BYU, Oregon State and USC.
Colorado 2021 included running back commitments from Victor Venn and Anthony Hankerson, so perhaps Ott felt there were fewer options for playing time in Boulder.
Ott was one of the best players in the country during his time at Cal. As a true freshman in 2022, rushing 170 times for 897 yards and eight touchdowns, plus 46 catches, 345 receiving yards and three receiving scores. In 2023, he led the Pac-12 in carries (246) and rushing yards (1,315) in addition to 25 catches, 169 receiving yards and 14 all-purpose touchdowns.
After battling injuries throughout the 2024 season, Ott will look to regain his prior form with the Sooners and build up his 2026 NFL draft stock.
Former Cal star running back Jaydn Ott has signed with Oklahoma, per the school.
Big pickup for the Sooners. Early-round NFL draft prospect who was an All-American in 2023. pic.twitter.com/0XPWy28KyE
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 15, 2025
Colorado seemed like an ideal destination for Ott, considering the history and, especially, CU’s need for a top-tier running back after the departure of Isaiah Augustave. The Buffs enter 2024 with true sophomore Micah Welch as the presumed starter, but there is little depth behind him.
He would have immediately become Colorado’s best running back and one of the Buffaloes’ top offensive players. Even though Ott entered the transfer portal only a day ago, it seems he knew exactly where he wanted to go, so perhaps Colorado never had a chance.
Deion Sanders is known for flashy transfer portal additions, but Ott won’t be the next one to join the Buffaloes. Colorado still needs a running back, so fans should continue to pay attention to any running back movement in the portal.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football former top recruiting target chooses Oklahoma
Cal star running back and former 1,300-yard rusher Jaydn Ott is signing with the Oklahoma Sooners, according to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
The California native was a recruit in the class of 2022, and Colorado was a big player in his original recruitment. Under head coach Mike MacIntyre, the Buffs were the first college program to extend an offer to Ott back in 2018. After visiting the Buffs during the team’s 2021 USC game, the four-star recruit picked the hometown Bears over Wisconsin, BYU, Oregon State and USC.
Colorado 2021 included running back commitments from Victor Venn and Anthony Hankerson, so perhaps Ott felt there were fewer options for playing time in Boulder.
Ott was one of the best players in the country during his time at Cal. As a true freshman in 2022, rushing 170 times for 897 yards and eight touchdowns, plus 46 catches, 345 receiving yards and three receiving scores. In 2023, he led the Pac-12 in carries (246) and rushing yards (1,315) in addition to 25 catches, 169 receiving yards and 14 all-purpose touchdowns.
After battling injuries throughout the 2024 season, Ott will look to regain his prior form with the Sooners and build up his 2026 NFL draft stock.
Former Cal star running back Jaydn Ott has signed with Oklahoma, per the school.
Big pickup for the Sooners. Early-round NFL draft prospect who was an All-American in 2023. pic.twitter.com/0XPWy28KyE
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 15, 2025
Colorado seemed like an ideal destination for Ott, considering the history and, especially, CU’s need for a top-tier running back after the departure of Isaiah Augustave. The Buffs enter 2024 with true sophomore Micah Welch as the presumed starter, but there is little depth behind him.
He would have immediately become Colorado’s best running back and one of the Buffaloes’ top offensive players. Even though Ott entered the transfer portal only a day ago, it seems he knew exactly where he wanted to go, so perhaps Colorado never had a chance.
Deion Sanders is known for flashy transfer portal additions, but Ott won’t be the next one to join the Buffaloes. Colorado still needs a running back, so fans should continue to pay attention to any running back movement in the portal.
Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads, and Instagram.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football former top recruiting target chooses Oklahoma
