Cal running back Jaydn Ott scored two touchdowns in the Bears’ spring showcase on Saturday. Two days later it appears he may be on his way out of Berkeley.
Ott is expected to enter the transfer portal when it opens Wednesday, according to multiple reports. On3.com’s Pete Nakos was the first to report the news Monday night.
The rising senior had a down season in 2024 after two stellar years to open his collegiate career. An ankle injury hampered him last fall as he rushed for only 385 yards on 116 carries after amassing 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023, when he earned All-Pac-12 honors. He was also a Freshman All-American in 2022 after breaking out with 897 yards on 170 carries, including a 274-yard, three-touchdown game against Arizona.
Ott’s partner in the Bears’ backfield last season, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, transferred in the winter window to Indiana.
At that time, Ott reaffirmed his commitment to Cal. But on Monday, a post on his Instagram Story read “No loyalty to stagnation,” hinting that a change could be coming.
After losing in the LA Bowl last December to UNLV, Cal finished the season 6-7. The Bears have not finished with a winning record since 2019.
Cal coach Justin Wilcox rebuilt his offensive staff this offseason, bringing in former Boise State and Auburn coach Bryan Harsin as the offensive coordinator and adding former Hawaii and Washington State coach Nick Rolovich as an offensive assistant. But the big names apparently did not do enough to keep Ott from looking elsewhere.
Behind Ott on the Bears’ depth chart is McClymonds graduate Jaivian Thomas, who had 626 yards and seven touchdowns on 100 carries as a sophomore last season.
