Despite a frustrating season with the Oklahoma Sooners, Jaydn Ott joins the Chiefs, reuniting with former coach DeMarco Murray for a fresh NFL start
The 2026 NFL Draft may have concluded, but the Sooner pipeline to the pros keeps flowing. Shortly after the final picks were made, Oklahoma running back Jaydn Ott agreed to terms with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent.
The 5-11, 198-208 pound senior from Chino, California, adds another name to the growing list of crimson-and-cream talent heading to the NFL, joining former teammate R Mason Thomas (selected in the second round at No. 40 overall) on a Chiefs roster hungry for depth and versatility.
Ott’s journey to Norman was full of promise.
After three standout seasons at Cal, where he rushed for over 2,600 yards and 24 touchdowns while showing explosive burst, vision, and receiving skills, the former four-star recruit transferred to Oklahoma ahead of the 2025 season.
Many Sooners fans hoped the move would pair his big-play ability with Brent Venables’ program and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle’s scheme.
Unfortunately, his lone season in crimson and cream was limited.
Ott appeared in just seven games, making one start, and recorded only 21 carries for 68 yards (3.2 yards per carry) with two receptions for 10 yards. A crowded backfield and other factors kept his touches low, turning what many expected to be a featured role into a frustrating year of limited opportunities.
From an Oklahoma perspective, Ott still represented the type of competitor the Sooner program values. He transferred in with high expectations, bought into the culture, and worked hard despite reduced playing time.
He did show off his speed (he ran a 4.49-second 40-yard dash at his pro day) and shiftiness that flashed on occasional carries, such as his season-high 49 yards on 11 attempts against Kent State.
While his 2025 production didn’t match his Cal tape, Ott’s prior body of work, including multiple 1,000-yard seasons and big-play ability, kept him on NFL radars as a potential depth piece or special teams contributor.
Now, Ott heads to Kansas City, where he will reunite with his former Oklahoma running backs coach, DeMarco Murray, who joined the Chiefs as RB coach earlier this offseason.
Murray, a legendary Oklahoma player himself and a former NFL All-Pro, coached Ott during the 2025 season. Things did not go as smoothly as hoped between the two during Ott’s time in Norman, with questions swirling about usage, development, and the backfield rotation.
Despite that chapter, both player and coach now get a fresh start in the NFL. Murray, known for his detailed approach to the position, will have the chance to help Ott refine his game, particularly pass protection and consistency, in a new environment.
Adding to the excitement for Sooner fans is the reunion with R Mason Thomas, the edge defender who anchored OU’s defensive line and now brings his pass-rush presence to the Chiefs’ front seven.
Having two recent Oklahoma teammates on the same roster creates instant camaraderie and gives fans extra reason to tune into Chiefs games.
The Chiefs, fresh off of a dissapointing season and always looking for undervalued talent on special teams and in the backfield, see Ott as a low-risk addition with upside.
His athletic testing, receiving skills, and prior production at Cal suggest he could carve out a role if he proves durable and adaptable in camp.
As he steps into Arrowhead Stadium alongside former teammate Thomas and under the guidance of Murray once more, the hope in Norman is that this new chapter unlocks the explosive runner many saw at Cal.