Why Oklahoma’s prized transfer RB isn’t starting Week 1

Fans took double takes on Monday when Oklahoma released its first depth chart of the 2025 college football season and saw prized transfer running back Jaydn Ott listed as RB3.

Last year's RB1 Javontae Barnes was listed as the starter again, followed by freshman Tory Blaylock, who was impressive throughout fall camp. Ott was then third at the position with an "OR" next to his name alongside Xavier Robinson.

There's no lack of talent from Ott, though, or any real reason for concern. OU head coach Brent Venables and general manager Jim Nagy both confirmed on Monday night that Barnes and Blaylock were rewarded with the top spots after surviving all of fall camp healthy.

Jaydn Ott listed as RB3 on Sooners' depth chart

"Some other guys in that group were not available for the whole camp, so (Barnes) and Tory did a great job," Venables said during his coaches show.

Venables also said OU will be without running back Taylor Tatum, who was absent from the Week 1 depth chart and still dealing with an injury.

There was a practice that was open for local media where Barnes and Blaylock were the only two running backs available, but according to Nagy, that wasn't a one-time instance. Nagy said the Sooners went more than two weeks during fall camp with Barnes and Blaylock as the only healthy running backs. Walk-on wide receiver Major Melson and running backs coach DeMarco Murray had to fill in during drills.

"In terms of where the depth chart came out today, we had Jovantae Barnes and (Tory) Blaylock one and two, and they deserved that, because not only did Jaydn miss a lot of time during fall camp, so did the rest of the room," Nagy said. "... But I can't say enough about the workload those guys put in during fall camp. So they deserve it."

There's a big difference when Ott isn't 100%. In 2023 at Cal, Ott led the Pac-12 with 1,305 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. But last season, while dealing with an ankle injury, Ott rushed for only 385 yards and four TDs in 10 games. He then transferred to OU this spring.

Ott told media before the start of fall camp that he was healthy again. He also admitted that his injury last year at Cal was handled poorly and he should had rested multiple weeks, but instead tried to push through, which ultimately slowed him down even longer. That paired with OU's injury woes last season will lead the Sooners to be extremely cautious with Ott.

Keeping Ott healthy is a top priority for the Sooners, and he's not really necessary to beat Illinois State in the season opener on Saturday. However, the Sooners will need Ott against Michigan next week, so another easy week could be what he needs to be a full contributor while rewarding Barnes and Blaylock with opportunity.

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