Brent Venables just made Jaydn Ott sound like Oklahoma’s biggest weapon

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables said all the things that fans want to hear about new running back Jaydn Ott.

Reporters on Wednesday at SEC Media Days asked Venables about Ott, who transferred from Cal, and he definitely didn't water down Ott's ability to make plays for the Sooners this season.

"He's a home-run hitter," Venables said. "Great natural runner, got great instincts, runs well behind his pads. His yards after contact are eye-popping. He makes plays as opposed to 'take what they give you.' ...

"And that's what good players do."

Venables praises OU's new transfer RB

Ott committed to the Sooners during the spring as the No. 1 running back in the Transfer Portal at the time. He has one year of eligibility left as a graduate transfer and should immediately become the Sooners' No. 1 back.

An ankle injury hindered Ott last season, but in 2023, he led the Pac-12 with 1,305 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, and was named First-Team All-Pac-12. Last year in 10 games while battling injury, Ott had 385 total yards and five TDs. He also earned Freshman All-America honors from The Athletic in 2022.

Although Wednesday was the first time we've heard Venables gush over Ott, OU general manager Jim Nagy has been since even before the Sooners hired him in February. Nagy shared highlights of Ott when he was still the executive director of the Reese's Senior Bowl. And those highlights show exactly what Venables raved about.

Ott added to what was already a loaded position for the Sooners. Jovantae Barnes, who led OU in rushing last season, will likely be the No. 2 behind Ott this season. Behind Barnes is a pair of sophomore standouts with Xavier Robinson and Taylor Tatum.

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