The case of Jaydn Ott at Oklahoma just gets more perplexing

It’s been two weeks since Oklahoma running back Jaydn Ott’s odd OU debut Week 1, and still two weeks later, Sooner Nation is scratching their heads. 

Ott got to Norman this spring as the top running back available in the Transfer Portal with expectations to take the Sooners’ offense to a different level, but after three games, he’s carried the ball only nine times and twice hasn’t even appeared in the backfield until the fourth quarter. 

Sooners fans still confused by Ott's usage

In the Sooners’ 42-3 win against Temple on Saturday, Ott didn’t see the field until there was 6:40 left in the fourth quarter with the game already comfortably in hand. He ended up getting four carries that he took for 11 yards in garbage time, averaging 2.8 yards an attempt. 

This almost mirrored his debut that first puzzled fans. With no Ott in the huddle for three quarters, it was presumed OU was just resting Ott against Illinois State after he missed over two weeks of fall camp because of injury. But out of nowhere, Ott got a carry for a three-yard loss in the fourth quarter, and that was it. 

Still, as odd as the lone attempt was, it was still assumed health was the reason. That next Tuesday, between Week 1 and 2, OU head coach Brent Venables said Ott “looks to be close to 100%,” revealing Ott still had a lingering injury. 

“When he's at his best, we have all seen of people that know his journey, what he's capable of,” Venables added. “He's a real weapon. He will play a real factor in our season going forward. ... we are going to need him."

But days later against Michigan, Ott got just four carries for nine yards. In total, Ott, who in 2023 led the Pac-12 in rushing, has just nine attempts for 17 yards, averaging 2.2 yards a carry, in three games with the Sooners for no explainable reason. 

Both Venables and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle keep reiterating they want Ott to be a big part of OU’s offense. However, Venables’ tone on Saturday wasn’t quite as optimistic. 

“You wish he was a little further along in every way,” Venables said postgame. “But you get in there, whatever opportunities you have, you get in there, you're ready. You've got good juice, energy, aggressiveness. You’re having an attack mindset. All those things, everything adds up, everything matters. 

“So we’d love to get him going. If all things are good in that regard that I just said, his instincts, his speed, all those things, can be a real weapon.” 

Venables did not mention health specifically, and while that certainly still seems to be a setback for Ott, Venables’ recent comments revealed it’s apparently more than just an injury keeping Ott off the field. 

Whether it’s in practice or the little opportunity he’s gotten in games, Ott hasn’t impressed yet, proven by the 2.2 yards a carry and inability to break anything against a beaten down Temple defense. There have also been signs of poor pass blocking.

But that’s still not an answer. It actually just conjures up more questions. 

How is a running back with so much talent and past success unable to move higher than No. 4 on the depth chart? But if he’s not really that talented after all, why did the Sooners throw money at a running back when they were already so loaded at the position? And if he’s still injured, why is he playing at all? 

For three weeks now, the case of Jaydn Ott has been anticipated to be solved with one explosive clue for a touchdown, but for now, this remains a cold case. 

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