Crimson Countdown: No. 0 Jaydn Ott, David Stone

The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2025 Oklahoma football season. Everybody wants to forget about 2024 and move forward.

Head coach Brent Venables and staff have attempted to do that. New face calling the offense (Ben Arbuckle). Venables calling the defense, it’s now or never for this regime at OU in the SEC. No beating around the bush.

Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 99 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.

Crimson Countdown: No. 0 Jaydn Ott, David Stone

2025 outlook:

It takes a certain somebody to wear No. 0. And OU think it has those types of dudes with Ott and Stone. They’re a couple of really good names to circle in terms of where is this thing going to go in 2025.

Because if Ott is as dynamic as OU fans hope, then this offense is going to make those strides. Or if Stone can develop that quickly, the defensive ceiling gets a little higher.

Ott was the prized post-spring portal addition. Unless you count Stone because hanging onto Stone feels as though it’s just important.

Ott could be one of the best backs in the conference. Stone needs to be a vital cog in the defensive tackle rotation. Not just reps but production.

Either way, watching Ott and Stone should be fun. And congratulations, this countdown is at zero.

It’s football time in Oklahoma.

2025 running back outlook

Not many people were looking at OU adding anything to this room after spring practice. It felt like a pretty stacked group as it was. However, the Sooners saw a chance and made it happen with former Cal star Jaydn Ott. So now it looks like Ott leading the way, but guys like Jovantae Barnes, Xavier Robinson and Taylor Tatum all with some sort of experience as well. OU needs to find those big-time runs again. The ones where a 10-yard gain turns into a 50-yarder or a touchdown. Bring back some of those fireworks. Ott could, should be that guy.

2025 defensive tackle outlook

The biggest storyline of the post-spring portal window was with David Stone. Entering on a Friday night and removing himself two days later by Sunday afternoon. With Stone locked up, you’ve got a quartet that should be incredibly impressive. Damonic Williams and Gracen Halton have been around the block a time or two. And here comes Stone along with Jayden Jackson to grow up and become monsters in the middle. OU has some depth around them as well, like adding Ricky Lolohea, but this group is going to be about what this foursome does. How good they can become? And how quickly it all happens.