Things definitely didn't work out for running back Jaydn Ott with the Oklahoma Sooners after leaving Cal and the Pac-12, but apparently there's still belief he can succeed at the next level in the NFL.
With the 2026 NFL Draft nearing on April 23-25, there's not only expectation for Ott to get a chance in the NFL after most recently being the No. 4 running back on the Sooners' depth chart, but that he'll even hear his name called because a franchise wanted him that bad. NFL.com's Chad Reuter this week created a five-round mock draft and projected the Houston Texans to select Ott with the 167th overall pick in the fifth round.
Jaydn Ott emerging as NFL Draft selection after disappointing season with Sooners
Even if Reuter is higher on Ott, there are still two more rounds to spare for someone to take Ott, which is likely considering Reuter has him getting picked all the way in the fifth.
Ott will go down as the Sooners' biggest Transfer Portal bust after joining the program last spring as the No. 1 running back available in the portal. He was hindered with an injury in 2024, but in 2023, Ott led the Pac-12 with 1,305 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. That breakout season led to a lot of hype around Ott that he never even sniffed while wearing crimson and cream.
Despite all those expectations, Ott got just a career-low 21 carries that he took for 68 yards in his lone season at Oklahoma. He didn't even touch the ball in eight of the Sooners' 13 games and didn't get a carry after Oct. 11 against Texas.
Read more: Jaydn Ott says the quiet part out loud after Oklahoma disappointment
"My career's pretty much a big question mark," Ott honestly admitted during the Senior Bowl. "First two seasons were pretty decent, and then the last two I just fell off the face of the earth.
"I'm just excited to get out here and play ball, really. I haven't had the chance to get on the field much and show that I can compete with some of the best."
Ott managed to impress during the Senior Bowl to the surprise of OU fans who watched him all season. That showing and his breakout season at Cal might actually be enough for Ott make it in the NFL, even after barely getting on the field for the Sooners.