In a development that is sending shockwaves through the Pac-12, Cal Golden Bears star running back Jaydn Ott has announced his intention to return to Berkeley for his senior season. The explosive playmaker, who burst onto the scene with a scintillating 1,000-yard campaign as a sophomore in 2023, battled through an injury-plagued junior year that saw him miss time and fail to recapture his previous form.
Ott’s announcement, which came via a cryptic X post early Sunday morning featuring the iconic “I’m not leaving!” scene from The Wolf of Wall Street, has the Golden Bear faithful buzzing with excitement. After a disappointing 2024 season that saw starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza enter the transfer portal, Ott’s return provides a beacon of hope and stability for the Cal offense.
A Season of Setbacks
Ott’s junior campaign got off to an inauspicious start when he suffered an ankle injury in the season opener that would linger throughout the year. He missed two full games and was visibly limited in several others, finishing with a pedestrian stat line of 116 carries for 385 yards and 4 touchdowns.
“It was frustrating, not being able to be out there 100% for my team,” Ott reflected. “I knew I wasn’t right, but I wanted to push through and contribute however I could.”
His gutsy performances earned praise from the coaching staff and endeared him further to Cal fans, even as the team struggled to a disappointing 5-7 record. Supporters rallied around their hobbled star, with one enterprising fan even releasing a parody song called “Ott to Go!” sung to the tune of Chappell Roan’s “Hot to Go!”
Unfinished Business
In deciding to return for his senior year, Ott cited some “unfinished business” in Berkeley. Many have speculated that his injury-marred 2024 season played a major factor, with Ott determined to rewrite the script and cement his legacy as an all-time Cal great.
- Reclaim his place among the Pac-12’s elite running backs
- Lead Cal back to a bowl game for the first time since 2023
- Improve his NFL Draft stock with a monster senior season
“I can’t go out like that, not after the way things went down last year,” Ott explained. “I know what I’m capable of, and I’m ready to show the world that Jaydn Ott is back and better than ever. We’ve got something special brewing here at Cal, and I want to be a part of it.”
A Boost for the Bears
Ott’s announcement is a massive win for head coach Beau Hartfield and the Cal program. After losing Mendoza to the portal and facing uncertainty at the quarterback position, having a weapon like a healthy Ott in the backfield could prove invaluable.
He’ll team up with fellow senior Jaivian Thomas to form one of the most formidable running back tandems in the conference. The two combined for over 1,400 yards in 2023 before injuries slowed them in 2024. If both are back at full strength, the Bear Raid offense that was so potent two seasons ago could be primed for a revival.
“Getting Jaydn back is absolutely huge for us,” Coach Hartfield gushed. “He’s the heart and soul of this team, and his leadership is invaluable. When he’s rolling, our entire offense kicks into another gear. We’re excited to see him pick up where he left off after that incredible sophomore season.”
The Road Ahead
Of course, there are still question marks surrounding Ott and the Golden Bears. Will he be able to stay healthy for a full season? Who will emerge as the starting quarterback to get him the ball? Can the defense hold up its end of the bargain?
Those are all questions that will be answered in due time. For now, Cal fans are riding high off the news of Ott’s return, dreaming of a resurgent 2025 season and a return to prominence for a proud program that has fallen on hard times of late.
As for Ott, he’s singularly focused on writing the final chapter of his collegiate story—and cementing his legacy as one of the greatest Golden Bears of all time. If his explosive 2023 campaign was any indication, Pac-12 defenses had better buckle up their chinstraps. A healthy and motivated Jaydn Ott is a scary prospect indeed.
