OU Football Watch List Tracker: Jaydn Ott makes cut for Doak Walker Award

As OU opens its second week of practice, multiple Sooners have continued to receive preseason recognition.

By now you’re fairly familiar with running back Jaydn Ott. On Tuesday, he added Doak Walker Preseason Watch List to his resume, given annually to the top running back in the country. Ott, a former All Pac-12 first team selection, has arrived as advertised via Cal and is expected to be a key piece of Ben Arbuckle’s offense this season.

“He’s a great football player and a great friend,” said backfield mate John Mateer on Monday. “Having that threat — him in the pass game, him in the run game. All of our running backs. He offers a great versatility for this offense and we can do a lot with him in any situation and any personnel.”

Ott along with Sooners safety Robert Spears-Jennings were included on Bruce Feldman’s annual ‘CFB Freaks List’.

Mateer was announced as a preseason candidate for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award, given annually to the college football player of the year. Redshirt junior Ben Anderson was included on the Patrick Mannelly Award Watch List, awarded to the nation’s top long snapper.

Maxwell Award (outstanding player)

QB John Mateer, RB Jaydn Ott

The duo arrives in Norman as premier portal hauls for the Sooners and first-year offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle.

Mateer led the country with 44 touchdowns last season at Washington State, throwing for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns with 15 more via the ground.

Ott lands in the crimson and cream after transferring from Cal where he starred the past three seasons, including a 2023 campaign in which he rushed for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Former winners: Jason White (2004), Baker Mayfield (2017), Tommy McDonald (1956)

Bronko Nagurski Trophy (defensive player of the year)

LB Kip Lewis

Redshirt junior linebacker Kip Lewis was one of 60 players named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List. The Nagurski Trophy is awarded annually to the national defensive player of the year in college football as voted by the Football Writers Association of America.

Lewis enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, playing in all 13 games (12 starts) alongside fourth-round draft pick Danny Stutsman, totaling 65 tackles, four tackles for loss and two interceptions. Both interceptions were returned for touchdowns, including a game-winning fourth quarter pick-six at Auburn securing the Sooners first Southeastern Conference victory on the Plains.

Former winners: Roy Williams (2001), Derrick Strait (2003)

Outland Trophy (best interior lineman)

No Sooners named to the Outland Trophy Watch List

Former winners: Jammal Brown (2004), Greg Roberts (1978), Lee Roy Selmon (1975), J.D. Roberts (1953), Jim Weatherall (1951)

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Butkus Award (top linebacker)

LB Kip Lewis, LB Sammy Omosigho

It’s Kip Lewis’ second preseason nomination following a productive third year in Norman in which he totaled 65 tackles, four tackles for loss and two interceptions. Sammy Omosigho returns looking to make much grander contributions following a 39-tackle and five-tackles for loss sophomore campaign.

Former winners: Rocky Calmus (2001), Teddy Lehman (2003), Brian Bosworth (1985, 1986)

Paycom Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back)

No Sooners on the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List

Former winners: Roy Williams (2001), Derrick Strait (2003), Rickey Dixon (1987)

Allstate Wuerffel Trophy (community service)

Safety, Robert Spears-Jennings

Robert Spears-Jennings nomination for the Weurffel Trophy comes just a few weeks after hosting a youth football camp in his hometown of Broken Arrow.

The Weurffel Trophy is presented annually to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.

Former winners: Gabe Ikard (2013), Ty Darlington (2015)

Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player)

No Sooners on the Paul Hornung Watch List

Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award

K, Tate Sandell

Tate Sandell transferred to Oklahoma during the spring portal following three years at UTSA, converting 19 of 23 field goal attempts (35-for-36 XP) and a school record 62 touchbacks on 85 kickoffs last season.

Ray Guy Award (top punter)

P, Jacob Ulrich

Ulrich joined the Sooners program after transferring from Kennessaw State where he earned first-team All-Conference USA honors in 2024, averaging 45.4 yards per with 27 punts downed inside the opponents 20-yard line.