Speed Burning 2022 Norco RB Jaydn Ott Talks Breakout Season and Recruiting Visits

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Big things are happening in California’s Big VIII League. The big things that are happening are great for Norco High School, but not so good for the Division II competition. Norco High School had a loaded yet young team in 2018 posting a 9-3 record. Much of that talent returns in 2019 with a lot of heavy expectations on their rising tailback, Jaydn Ott.

Ott was one of the top breakout stars in California last season regardless of grade classification. The 5-11, 180-pound, tailback was a blur to the naked eye using his 4.41 speed to carve up defenses covering 1,096 yards on 151 totes with 13 trips to the end zone. Rounding out his emerging all-purpose nature, he also pulled in six passes for 74 yards posting another score on the board. This has led to four offers for Ott coming from Colorado, Oregon, Oregon State, and UNLV.

With offers on the table, recruiting visits planned, and a big offseason of work ahead, I sat down with Ott for an RNG exclusive getting the inside scoop on his 2018 campaign, recruiting, and offseason goals.

Interview

Jaydn, the 2018 season was undoubtedly a breakout year for you. Going into the season, did you know you would have as big of a role on the team out of the backfield?

“Yes. I knew I was coming to Norco to make an impact. I was ready for the challenge.”

Freshman are not supposed to dominate the way that you did. Was there a moment where you were even surprising yourself with how well you were doing against Division II competition?

“Sometimes, but I still feel like I could have done better. I knew what I could do, and I showed everyone what I could do.”

Given the highly competitive nature of Division II California football, especially out of the Big VIII, did opposing defenses talk at you a lot between snaps trying to throw you off your game?

“No. Once you run all over them, they do not talk too much trash. There were more people like that on my team.”

Everyone has one, that welcome to the varsity moment where you take a big hit or do something wrong making a learning mistake. What was your moment in 2018?

“My welcome to the varsity moment was in practice. We were running an inside run drill. Blake Beecher (2019 linebacker), he hit me and drove me into the ground. He told me to ‘get up freshman’.”

That’ll get you ready for the games.

“Yes, sir.”

Which game last season was your best, and why do you consider it to be your top performance?

“I feel like my best performance was against Roosevelt. I had 10 touches for 210 yard and I should have had two touchdowns. The ref was about 80 yards behind me. We were on the 10, I broke loose, and I ran downfield. The ref was trying to hang, but he was at the 50 and did not see me score as I was tackled. He put me down at the 1-yard line.”

Will you play a bigger role on the team in 2019?

“As of right now, I am just practicing for running back. I could get some corner reps. But right now, I am sticking with running back. Hopefully during my junior year I will play some corner or safety.”

What are you working on this offseason?

“This offseason at running back, I have been working on my burst and my vision. I feel like I can get better at both of those. I am putting on weight. I want to be at 190 by start of the season. I want to fill the sleeves in my jersey.”

Which national camps have you gone to this offseason thus far?

“I have been to the Nike Opening and the UA All-American Camp.”

How did the Under Armour Camp go?

“It was pretty good. It went great. Some of the scouts there that did write-ups thought I did pretty good. I was happy with my performance.”

What did you do well?

“I feel like my routes and my catching was good, I had a good day even though I dropped a couple. My cuts and burst out of the drills and my footwork were good. I take pride in my footwork.”

Which position did you compete at during the camp?

“At running back, but they also lined us up in the slot.”

Makes sense. What is the fastest 40-yard dash time you have posted at school or at a camp?

“My fastest 40 is a 4.41 I ran at school.”

What? Wow. That explains a lot. Do you have any upcoming camps you may attend?

“I have been invited to a camp in Utah and a camp at Cal-State in late May.”

With recruiting, I know it is very-very early for you but did that big season start bringing some schools around for you?

“I am not sure which schools are showing interest. My coaches tell me about the schools that stop by and ask about. I know LSU and Oregon have asked about me and I met Washington’s head coach, Chris Petersen, at school one time.”

You have the four offers, which schools have offered you?

“Colorado, Oregon, Oregon State, and UNLV.”

Congratulations.

“Thank you.”

Might you take any unofficial visits this offseason?

“I am planning on going on a trip to Oregon on April 11-14 and to UNLV on April 6.”

That’ll be exciting. What are you looking forward to with the UNLV visit?

“That will be my first unofficial visit. I am just excited that these colleges are looking at me. I am excited to meet the coaches and see the facilities. It will be great to see a college campus.”

What about the Oregon trip, what has you excited about visiting the Ducks?

“I am excited to go on my first visit to Oregon. I know it will be a good experience. It will be great to see their campus. I have some friends from Norco, Travis and Troy Dye, that are on the team at Oregon. It will be good to see them and hang out with them. I think they are going to take me on some tours of the campus.”

Jaydn, it was great talking football with you today. I appreciate your time and wish you success on your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Norco High School; Jaydn Ott vs. Upland 2018