Oklahoma's general manager, Jim Nagy, quickly secured two key transfers from the portal, with Stanford's OL Jake Maikkula signing first, followed by Cal's RB Jaydn Ott. Ott, a sought-after player in the spring portal cycle, joined the Sooners shortly after entering the transfer portal from Cal, bringing one year of eligibility. His addition strengthens Oklahoma's running back corps, offering depth and talent to address consistency issues in the team's ground game.
Jaydn Ott's impressive track record includes a standout 2023 season at Cal, where he rushed for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning recognition in the Pac-12's all-conference team. Accomplishing Freshman All-American status in 2022, Ott's versatility as a rusher, receiver, and returner adds a dynamic element to Oklahoma's offense, complementing transfer quarterback John Mateer. Ott's recruitment reflects a positive shift under the leadership of Brent Venables, as Oklahoma aims to enhance its portal recruitment efforts with Nagy's expertise, signaling a promising start to a potential transformation in the program's direction.