The transfer portal has completely changed college sports as we know it. Thousands of players now enter the transfer portal each year, completely shifting the landscape of college football on a whim. One player had some fun with this, posting a fake transfer portal announcement video on social media on Friday.
California Golden Bears star running back Jaydn Ott was the most impactful player on Cal’s offense, rushing for 1,260 yards and 11 touchdowns on the year, which earned him All-Pac-12 honors for the year.
Ott is only a sophomore, meaning that he has plenty of eligibility remaining which would likely make him enticing to plenty of teams if he were to enter the transfer portal.
Well, Ott posted a video on social media Friday that seemed like his intention of entering the transfer portal, only to fake out Cal Bears fans at the end of it.
“What’s going on Cal nation,” said Ott. “I have an important message for you all. I would like to thank you all for having my back these past few years. I would like to say thank you to my coaches, and all of the guys that have been important to my development since I’ve been here. With that being said, I will be entering the transfer portal this upcoming season. Respect my decision, please.”
He then walked out of the frame of the video, only to tell Cal fans that it is a joke and that he’ll be returning to Cal for the 2024 season.
“Nah, I’m playing. I’m finna stay.”
Thank you Cal💔 pic.twitter.com/wRFYmJnOkl
— Jaydn Ott🇼🇸 (@THEJAYDNOTT) December 15, 2023
Fans took notice of this fake transfer portal announcement and are relieved that he will instead be returning to Cal.
Jaydn Ott was the Pac 12 rushing champ and now going to be one of the most beloved Golden Bears ever for this.
There’s no doubt Ott would have had his pick of many schools. https://t.co/gs8cPL2XLk
— Matt Lively (@mattblively) December 15, 2023
Jadyn Ott with an all-timer announcement video https://t.co/px5r0aULDA pic.twitter.com/WA6aYoMenJ
— False Start: A CFB Podcast (@CFBFalseStart) December 15, 2023
Another broken tackle for Jaydn Ott
One of the best returning RBs in America announces he’s staying at Cal (following a fake portal announcement)
Crucial for Cal ahead of Texas Tech bowl game https://t.co/WNwhImzHGd
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) December 15, 2023
Jaydn Ott has a chance to get himself on the Cal football Mt Rushmore alongside Jeff Tedford, Joe Roth, and Marshawn Lynch.
100% certified Cal guy. Bleeds blue and gold. @THEJAYDNOTT for Heisman!!! https://t.co/C2Uj8uayzv
— Not Ryan Cobb #FireKnowlton (@hairtest420) December 15, 2023
One of the best backs in the country has an announcement for y’all 🤫 https://t.co/1PjLVcNRAC
— ThreeTechPod 🎙 (@ThreeTechPod) December 15, 2023
1) nice work on the video
2) with this confirmation, the @IndyBowl will now have the best RB matchup with Ott and @just_tahj going head-to-head
And while it might not be played on the west coast, with kickoff being 9:15 EST, this one is going to feel very #Pac12AfterDark -ish https://t.co/34doZ6KN5Y— Andrew McCleary (@cfp4_us) December 15, 2023
