Jaydn Ott

NFL Draft Profile: Jaydn Ott

Position: Running Back | School: Oklahoma (via California) | Class: Senior

Height: 6'0" | Weight: 210 lbs | Archetype: 3-Down Back / Elusive

College Career Summary

Jaydn Ott’s collegiate journey is a tale of two halves. At California (2022–2024), he was a superstar, earning Freshman All-American honors and leading the Pac-12 in rushing in 2023 with 1,315 yards. Known for his elite vision and receiving prowess, he amassed over 2,500 yards and 24 touchdowns for the Golden Bears.

In 2025, Ott sought a new challenge, transferring to Oklahoma as one of the most hyped players in the portal. However, his senior season in the SEC did not go as planned. Hampered by lingering injury concerns from 2024 and buried on a deep depth chart, Ott struggled to find a rhythm. He appeared in only 7 games, recording just 68 rushing yards and no touchdowns. Despite the statistically disappointing final year, his early-career "Cal tape" remains the primary driver for his NFL evaluation.

2025 Regular Season Stats

• Rushing: 21 Carries, 68 Yds, 0 TD (3.2 avg)

• Receiving: 2 Receptions, 10 Yds, 0 TD

• Career Totals: 553 Carries, 2,665 Yds, 24 Rushing TD | 97 Receptions, 746 Rec Yds, 6 Rec TD

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rush/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs Illinois St	1 / (-3) / 0	D	Season Opener. Only one snap; negative yardage.
2	vs Michigan	4 / 9 / 0	C-	Minimal impact against a physical defensive front.
3	@ Temple	4 / 11 / 0	C	Limited reps in a blowout; showed slight burst on one 5-yard gain.
5	vs Kent State	11 / 49 / 0	B-	Season Peak. Most usage of the year; showcased his signature vision.
6	vs Texas	1 / 2 / 0	D+	Effectively non-existent in the "Red River" gameplan.
7	@ S. Carolina	0 / 0 / 0	N/A	Played on special teams but did not record a carry.
13	vs LSU	0 / 0 / 0	N/A	Active but zero touches in a tight defensive battle.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 85/100

• Leadership: Respected veteran at Cal; faced a difficult transition to a backup role at OU without causing locker room friction.

• Mental Toughness: Battled through a "bust" narrative in 2025 after being a national star; stayed ready for limited opportunities.

• Competitor: Elite drive shown at Cal; occasionally appeared frustrated by lack of usage at Oklahoma.

• Star Power: High ceiling; when he is the focal point, he can dominate a game (see: 274 yards vs Arizona in 2022).

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 88/100

• Height/Weight: 6'0", 210 lbs. (Meets Height target; slightly below 215lb Weight target).

• Stamina: Proven workhorse at Cal (246 carries in 2023), but stamina was never truly tested in 2025.

• Durability: Concern. Ankle injuries in 2024 and a lack of usage in 2025 raise questions about his "pro-ready" health.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 94/100

• Ball Security: Elite. Zero fumbles on over 400 career carries.

• Vision: Top-tier. One of the best in the class at navigating zone-blocking schemes.

• Contact Balance: Above average; uses a low center of gravity to bounce off glancing blows.

• Catching: Elite. Legitimate threat out of the backfield; could transition to slot receiver if needed.

• Pass Block: Technically sound; understands assignments but lacks the raw mass to stone heavy blitzers.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 90/100

• Speed: Functional home-run speed; clocked multiple runs over 20 MPH during his 2023 season.

• Agility: Exceptional. His jump-cut is one of the quickest in the draft.

• Change of Direction: Explosive one-cut ability; gets north-south instantly.

• Acceleration: Sudden; reaches top speed within his first three steps.

• Break Tackle: Relies on lateral twitch and "slipperiness" rather than power to evade defenders.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 95/100

• Awareness: High processing speed; excellent at identifying "back-side" cutback lanes.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Pro-level vision and patience; elite receiving floor; zero-fumble reliability; explosive short-area quickness; extensive experience as a lead back (at Cal).

• Weaknesses: Disappointing 2025 production at Oklahoma; history of ankle injuries; needs to prove he hasn't lost his "top gear" after a quiet senior year.

• Scheme Fit: Perfect for an Outside Zone or Pass-Heavy system (e.g., 49ers, Dolphins, Lions).

• NFL Comparison: James Cook / Aaron Jones.

Scout's Final Word

"Jaydn Ott is the 'X-factor' of the RB class. If you scout only his 2025 Oklahoma tape, he's a late-round flyer. If you scout his 2023 Cal tape, he’s a Day 2 starter. His ability to catch the ball and his pristine ball security give him a high NFL floor as a change-of-pace back. Teams will look at his 1,300-yard season in the Pac-12 as his true identity. Projected: Round 3–4."