Cal Football: Jaydn Ott Was Nation's Most Productive Two-Way Frosh RB in 2022
Only seven freshmen running backs in the country rushed for more yards last season than Cal’s Jaydn Ott.
But as Pro Football Focus pointed out in a recent story, none of those seven was as effective as a two-way threat.
“As good as Ott is on the ground, he may be even more dynamic as a receiver,” PFF wrote.
Besides rushing for 897 yards, Ott caught 46 passes for 321 yards. Both the catch and yardage totals were better than those compiled by any of the seven backs who gained more rushing yards, and his 46 receptions were fourth-most among all running backs last season.
Jaydn Ott
Pro Football Focus
Here are the top eight freshman running back ground gainers from 2022:
-- Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss: 1,567 rush yards - 15 receptions, 132 yards
-- Seih Bangura, Ohio: 1,078 rush yards - 27 receptions, 226 yards
-- Nicholas Singleton, Penn State: 1,061 rush yards - 11 receptions, 85 yards
-- Damien Martinez, Oregon State: 982 rush yards - 4 receptions, 61 yards
-- Richard Reese, Baylor: 972 rush yards - 13 receptions, 89 yards
-- Devin Mockobee, Purdue: 968 rush yards - 32 receptions, 274 yards
-- Marquis Crosby, LA Tech: 918 rush yards - 9 receptions, 65 yards
-- Jaydn Ott, Cal: 897 rush yards - 46 receptions, 321 yards
Ott talked about how he relishes the opportunity catching the ball in space gives him.
“When I get a swing route or a flat route and I catch the ball, and then I see that defender — whether it be a fat, slow linebacker or a DB — I either make the DB pay or run right around the linebacker,” Ott told PFF. “I think (being involved in the passing game) opens up a lot, not just for me but definitely for our team.”
With the arrival of transfer running backs Byron Cardwell from Oregon and Justin Williams-Thomas from Tennessee — assuming both are healthy — the Bears may have a more balanced running game this season. It’s possible Ott’s numbers could drop — and that might actually be a good thing if others are offering a productive complement.
Or he could have a spectacular sophomore season, building on what he did a year ago when he got the nation's attention by rushing for 274 yards against Arizona.
Either way, Ott’s ability in the open field, either as a ball carrier or pass catcher, provides the Bears with a dual-threat weapon new offensive coordinator Jake Spavital will try to exploit.
Ott does not sound consumed by his personal numbers. His goal is to help the Bears turn things around after a 4-8 season that was their third straight losing campaign.
“We already know how last season went,” Ott said. “And for the newcomers, they know as well that we have a goal to accomplish next year and we're not gonna have a rerun of this past season.”
The Bears have reloaded their roster, in particular going heavy this spring in their pursuit of experienced players out of the transfer portal.
“We’re in the works. We got 50 brand-new faces on our team right now,” Ott said. “And from what I can see during these workouts, not even being in pads, everybody has a similar mindset and we’re hooked on getting our team back to the top and having some success.
“I know we’re going to be all right.”
Ott said coach Justin Wilcox has set the direction he wants to see from his team.
“(Wilcox) is not a man of many words. But when he does speak, everyone’s locked in,” Ott said. “Everyone is tuned in and listening to what he has to say and takes it to heart. And we’re ready to go out there and play hard — not just for him, but for our teammates.
“Coach Wilcox, he says, ‘We got a lot of hard guys on our team who play hard, but we need to be a hardened team and we need to be hard as a unit.’ ”
Cover photo of Jaydn Ott by Kyle Terada, USA Today
Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo
