Ott grew up in Norco, California and initially attended Norco High School. He committed to play college football at Oregon as a freshman in high school.[1] After his freshman year Ott moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and transferred to Bishop Gorman High School.[2] As a sophomore, Ott rushed for 11.7 yards per carry.[3] He returned to Norco before the start of his senior year.[4] Ott rushed for 1,140 yards and 17 touchdowns on 114 carries as a senior.[5] Ott decommitted from Oregon during his sophomore year and later committed to play at California.[6][7] He re-opened his recruitment as a senior, but ultimately signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Cal.[8]
College career
2022
Ott rushed for 104 yards on 17 carries and caught two passes for 26 yards and one touchdown in his collegiate debut against UC Davis.[9] He made headlines in week 4 after rushing for 274 yards, the third-most in a game in school history and most ever by a Pac-12 freshman, and three touchdowns in a 49–31 win over Arizona.[10][11] As a true freshman, Ott ran for 897 yards and eight touchdowns, while adding another 321 yards and three touchdowns through the air. He led all Pac-12 freshmen in all-purpose yards per game, all-purpose yards, total touchdowns and rushing touchdowns. Ott was named a Freshman All-American for the 2022 season.[12]
2023
As a sophomore, Ott continued to see success, scoring 15 total touchdowns and running for a Pac-12 high 1,315 rushing yards. He earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors, and was a candidate for the Doak Walker, Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards.[12] Following the season, Ott announced via social media that he would be returning to Cal for the 2024 season.[13]