Cal football links: Jaydn Ott listed as 4th best returning RB by PFF, 9th by ESPN

The California Golden Bears have players shining both on and off the field.

Credit: Cal Football

How has the offseason treated our Cal football players? They’ve been staples at a host of Cal sporting events this year, including hoisting The Axe at the Cal-Stanford basketball game earlier this year.

Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus has Jadyn Ott listed as their fourth best returning running back for the 2024 season.

Ott dominated his first two seasons of college football. Since 2022, his 1,394 yards after contact and 108 forced missed tackles rank third among returning Power Five running backs while his 2,201 total rushing yards are fourth. He’s also proven to be a capable receiver out of the backfield with 517 receiving yards over the last couple years (sixth among Power Five running backs). Ott will be the driving force for California’s offense as it makes its way into the ACC.

Ott also received the stamp of approval from ESPN, where he ranked ninth overall.

Ott was undoubtedly the Golden Bears' best player; in fact, four of Cal's wins came when Ott had more than 150 rushing yards -- a feat he accomplished five times during the 2023 season. Ott's decision to come back to Berkeley for one more year is a boon for the Bears, who should improve on their 2023 campaign. Improvement isn't always linear in college football, but after a productive sophomore season, the sky is the limit for Ott in his third season.

Linebacker Cade Uluave got recognition as a Freshman All-American after a successful season as a starter. Here’s to seeing a further breakout in 2024.

Patrick McMorris had a very solid NFL Combine.

McMorris was one of 25 safeties and 325 players overall invited to this year's combine and posted 14 bench repetitions on Saturday to finish four days of exams, measurable testing, meetings, interviews, orientations and studies. On Friday, he went through an on-field work out with his fellow safeties and also participated in the vertical jump (31") and broad jump (9'4").

Jackson Sirmon enjoyed an excellent Senior Bowl. Lorenzo Reyna of 247Sports has more:

Sirmon was captured stepping in front of throws during practice drills inside the red zone – picking off Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton. Sirmon also picked off a pass during a separate 11-on-11 drill with the ball bouncing over to him.

Overall, Sirmon broke up five passes and picked off two passes during the week of practice per multiple reports out of Mobile. He also showed off his pass-coverage abilities in Saturday's Senior Bowl game. 

A host of Cal players have been spotlighted as Scholar Athletes of the Week, including tight end Jack Endries, linebacker Myles Williams and offensive lineman Martin Tine.

Finally, quarterback Fernando Mendoza continues his professional development, touring ABC7 with Larry Beil, Casey Pratt and Cal legend Mike Pawlawski.

Photo: Casey Pratt