It was head-scratching when new running back Jaydn Ott was RB3 on the Oklahoma Sooners’ Week 1 depth chart, but then fans were even more confused Saturday after witnessing how Ott was actually used in OU’s 35-3 season-opening win over Illinois State.
OU head coach Brent Venables and general manager Jim Nagy had cleared the air on why Jovantae Barnes and Tory Blaylock were listed higher than Ott on the initial depth chart. They were the only two running backs that made it through fall camp healthy, while Ott missed more than two weeks with an injury. So with Michigan looming next week, we didn’t expect to see much of Ott in the opener.
However, Ott was still listed as the Sooners’ return man and trotted out there for both kickoffs on Saturday. There was just a touchback and a return by Peyton Bowen, though, so Ott was more of a decoy on special teams and had little chance to re-aggravate any injuries just fielding kicks.
As Ott was on the sidelines during offensive possessions, Blaylock, a freshman, shined during his debut before leaving the game with a shoulder injury in the third quarter. Xavier Robinson then replaced Blaylock, so it looked like we would have to wait another week to see Ott’s first carry as a Sooner while OU was being cautious with the transfer from Cal who was banged up most of last season.
But then, out of nowhere, Ott was in the backfield to start OU’s second possession of the fourth quarter with the game in hand. Quarterback John Mateer immediately handed the ball to Ott, who was stuffed up the middle for a loss of three yards. Ott then left the game and never returned to the huddle with one carry for negative-three yards.
Ben Arbuckle just made Jaydn Ott's Week 1 usage even more confusing
— Lauderdale (@e_lauderdale) August 31, 2025
I am very much looking forward to learning the strategy behind Jaydn Ott playing his first snaps of the game on OU's 9th series, leading 28-3 in the 4th qtr.
— Lee Benson (@LeeBensonTweets) August 31, 2025
I have no idea what OU is doing at RB. Who’s healthy, who’s hurt etc etc.
— Greg Spencer (@gregcspencer) August 31, 2025
Xavier Robinson shreds Bama last year but can’t get a snap til midway through the 3rd against Illinois State?
Jaydn Ott is back on kick returns but isn’t playing RB?
Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, after his first game calling plays for the Sooners, was asked postgame about Ott’s baffling situation. Arbuckle didn’t clear anything up, though, but instead made Ott’s Week 1 usage even more puzzling.
“Jaydn’s a special player and a special talent," Arbuckle said. “Again, yeah, he’s absolutely gonna find his rhythm and find his place in this offense. I’m not worried one bit about Jaydn Ott.
“He’s a great kid and he’s a hard worker. He’s a smart kid. I’m excited to see what he does throughout the course of the year.”
It seems Arbuckle and the Sooners’ coaching staff believe in the talent of Ott as the No. 1 running back from the Transfer Portal this spring. It doesn’t appear he moved down the pecking order based on ability and he still has a role in the offense, whatever that might look like.
However, if it was rhythm Ott needs to find to succeed, why would he get only one carry against an FCS opponent? And if it’s health holding Ott back, then why would he even go out there for just that lone carry and to field kickoffs? Neither situation fit Ott’s usage in the opener, and with no clarity from the coaching staff, hopefully Week 2 will reveal something about Jaydn Ott.
Read more about OU football