"When I was four, I started playing flag football and soccer," recalled the Mississinewa senior standout. "I didn't know much about it, but my parents bribed me with suckers to play at the time. Shortly after that I got into all sports, including basketball, baseball, wrestling, and even Taekwondo."
A little bit of candy has gone a long way for the 6-foot-4, 235-pound tight end and linebacker on the gridiron.
In addition to compiling 242 yards receiving and 291 yards rushing with four total touchdowns during his first three campaigns, Ott also recorded 186 total tackles with 32 for loss, seven quarterback sacks, one interception, and five forced fumbles to earn Central Indiana Conference accolades in 2022 and 2023.
"I owe a lot to my parents (Ryan and Amie Ott)," explained Ott. "They both were excellent athletes in high school and college who pushed me athletically, but have poured into my life as strong Christian role models and made that the focus in our household.
"My parents have provided endless amounts of opportunities that have allowed me to grow spiritually, academically, and athletically. They've always been supportive and pushed me to be a better man."
Entering his fourth season as a varsity performer, the team captain has done his fair share to help the No. 4 (Class 3A) Indians to a 6-0 start with eight carries for 79 yards with a touchdown and six receptions for 81 yards with a score.
As a member of a defensive unit, which just allowed its first points of the season in a 43-7 win over Blackford on September 27, he has registered 30 tackles with nine for loss, three sacks, and caused a fumble.
Just for good measure, Ott is also averaging 38.9 per punt.
"The discipline of preparation is something that has carried over to my spiritual, academic, athletic, and emotional aspects of my life," explained Ott. "This will help me as I continue to go through life.
"Mentally, I prepare all week by watching film in team meetings, on my own, and with my dad. Coaches do a great job teaching us the game and our assignments each week to make it as clear as possible going into gameday. I also visualize myself executing at a high level which has really helped me have success on gamedays. I play multiple positions on offense, defense, and special teams, so I have a lot to study and make sure I memorize for each game.
"Physically, I prepare at practice by doing the reps with an obnoxious effort. I have an attention to details and am always trying to improve on the little things. During school, I'm in weights class and work hard to become bigger, faster, stronger, and more explosive. I make sure that I eat right, sleep at least eight hours, and hydrate well so I'm at 100 percent for practices and games."
Along with being named as the CIC defensive player of the year last fall, Ott was also selected as a member of the 2024 Indiana Football Digest's Prime Time 25.
"It was an amazing blessing to be a part of that group and I'm humbled to have been chosen," recalled Ott. "It meant a lot to have my family and coach there to see me be honored because they are the reason I am where I'm at today.
"I really enjoyed meeting the other student athletes and have made connections with players on other teams throughout the state, college coaches, and former NFL players. It meant a lot to be able to represent Mississinewa High School and my community through this prestigious honor."
His parents and Mississinewa boss Kyle Buresh are not the only ones who have Jaxon on the right path.
My faith in God keeps me grounded and allows me to have the right perspective," Ott said, "I love the game of football, but I believe it is a platform that God is using me to expand his kingdom. (Mississinewa) Coach (Buresh) always talks about going 1-0 and being where your feet are. We can only control what we do in the moment and on that one play. Adversity and bad things will happen on a play in football, but it's about how you respond to that adversity that matters most. Whether the outcome on the previous play was good or bad, it is now in the past and I have to focus on what I have to do on the next play.
"If I can try to go 1-0 on the next play and the following plays after that, then I will be in good shape and control what I can control. That mindset is a team thing that helps us pick each other up when things go bad, celebrate together when things go well, and then get focused again for the next play. I have to stay focused on doing my job, have trust and belief in my teammates to do their job, and execute as a team. Our coaches do a good job of putting us in pressure situations during practices to prepare us for when those moments arise in a game. I believe you don't rise to the occasion in the moment but you fall to the level of your preparation."
This plan of action also reflects in the classroom where he compiled a 3.92 weighted grade-point average.
"I work hard to manage my time between my school work and sports," explained Ott. "I try to get as much school work done at school as I can to limit the amount of homework that I have. When I do that well, it opens up more time for athletics and other hobbies like my pursuit of my pilot's license."
Watching Jaxon fly around the football field has been satisfying for the fifth-year Mississinewa boss.
"Jaxon is a special talent with a bright future," Buresh said. "He's a four-year starter who plays many different roles for our team with excellence, but his character, integrity, faith, energy, and work ethic are what truly shine day in and day out. Jaxon's development, growth, and competitive drive have been special to watch and I cherish the relationship we've built together. He is a team first player who leads, serves, and helps his teammates in many different ways.
"Jaxon is an unbelievable example of a young man who lives out his faith, pours into others, and chases his best every day. We're enjoying his final season as an Indian and are excited to see what the future holds."
Ott has plenty of admiration for Buresh as well.
"I've loved playing for Coach because he's instilled a culture of encouragement and accountability on our team which transitions well to the football field," Ott said. "He recognizes our strengths and weaknesses and puts people in roles that allow our team to be successful.
"Coach is a great man who has the same faith as me and has helped me grow in my relationship with Jesus. He has pushed and challenged me to improve day in and day out and doesn't let me settle for anything less than my best."
Competing on the varsity basketball team has also helped him become a well-rounded athlete.
"It has allowed me to sharpen my competitive mindset," explained Ott. "It's allowed my competitive drive to grow in whatever I'm competing at. Playing multiple sports has helped me get more coordinated by moving my body in different ways and helped me become a better athlete. It has also forced me to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. That has been a big part of my growth as an athlete and person. I look forward to continue learning and improving and that has helped shape what I believe in my faith and personal life."
Although he is uncertain of where he will be in the fall of 2025, Ott has a plan of action in motion.
"I'm still trying to decide, but I plan to go and play college football and I want to major in business or education because I want to become a football coach," explained Ott. "Currently, I have offers from Army (West Point), University of Penn, Butler, and some NAIA schools. I would like to play at the highest level that I'm given the opportunity to. It is a crazy time in recruiting, but I know God's got a plan and I'm trusting in his timing."
Heading into the homestretch of the regular season. Ott and his teammates have their sights set on more than a second straight unbeaten regular season and Class 4A sectional crown.
"The brotherhood of our team has made it enjoyable," Ott said. "We have a shared hunger to improve. We care for each other as a team and it doesn't matter what grade anybody is in. We know that we are all in this together and it has been fun to build relationships.
"As a senior I've enjoyed stepping into a leadership role and playing next to some of the same guys I did when I was in elementary school. We are playing extremely physical together in all three phases of the game. We have been able to start fast in all of our games and keep our foot on the gas."
The Indians will look to continue forging ahead when they travel to Elwood (1-5) on October 4.
