Cal running back Jaydn Ott entered the transfer portal on Monday, sources told ESPN.
Ott, a graduate transfer, is one of the top returning running backs in college football and is expected to be highly coveted in the spring transfer window.
The 6-foot, 205-pound rusher was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2023 after leading the conference with 1,315 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Ott has produced 3,460 all-purpose yards over the past three seasons, third most among all FBS backs set to return for 2025.
Ott announced in December that he planned to return to Cal for his senior season, but sources said the Bears were fighting off significant SEC interest in recent weeks prior to his decision to officially enter the portal. Ott has one season of eligibility remaining.
Ott received preseason All-America recognition going into his junior season but suffered an ankle injury in the Bears' season opener that limited his productivity over the rest of the season. He rushed for 385 yards on 3.3 yards per carry and caught 24 passes for 222 yards and another score in 2024.
As a true freshman starter in 2022, Ott earned Freshman All-America honors after finishing with 1,218 all-purpose yards -- fourth best in the Pac-12 -- and 11 touchdowns.
Cal has lost four running backs to the transfer portal this spring between Ott, Kadarius Calloway, Byron Cardwell Jr. and Justin Williams-Thomas. The Bears do return Jaivian Thomas, who led the team with 626 rushing yards and seven touchdowns last season.
College football's spring transfer window officially opens Wednesday and closes on April 25.
