Dislocated hip, Unshakeable Heart: Ott’s Return Fuels Shamrocks’ 2025 Hopes

Yuma Catholic quarterback returns to the field after a season ending injury and looks to lead the Shamrocks into 5A.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - When Yuma Catholic quarterback Nash Ott went down late in the second quarter of last year's AIA 4A state semifinal, the air was sucked out of Ricky Gwynn Stadium.

The Shamrocks were one win away from a second straight state title game appearance, riding high on Ott’s prolific passing and a veteran offense. But in an instant, everything took a turn for the worst.

"The guy jumped on my back and I went down," Ott remembers. "I tried to get back up as fast as I could, but I just couldn't. I felt a sting down my leg. I didn't know what happened."

Ott had dislocated his hip. The injury that not only ended his night, but also sent him to the hospital. Yuma Catholic would go on to lose the game to Mica Mountain 14-24. But just one day later, Ott was back with his team at their team meetings. Crutches and all.

"I just love my teammates," Ott said. "I love coming out here and playing football with them. I'm the quarterback. I felt like I had to be there."

"No one would have blamed him if he wasn't there," Yuma Catholic head coach Vernon Smith said. "But it speaks volumes about his toughness and how much he cares about his teammates, the game and the season."

After the injury, Ott immediately set his sights on recovery with the goal of being back on the field for spring ball.

"It was a lot of repetition, doing the same movements over and over," Ott said. "Then one day it was like, 'Oh I can move a little bit.' Then it just kept getting better and right now, I feel good."

Ott returned in time for spring and has been a full participant in summer workouts. Now a rising senior, he's embracing a larger leadership role on and off the field.

"Nash has always led by example, but he's grown in the vocal category," Smith said. "Everything he does, he takes pride in. He's even-keeled - not too high, not too low - which is exactly what I want from a quarterback."

The 2025 Shamrocks are facing a major transition. The program is moving up to 5A, where they will have approximately 1,000 less students than all but one other school.

They'll make the jump after graduating much of their offensive firepower, including two Division I wide receivers (YC had four total D1 signees on their roster last year). That puts even more weight on Ott’s shoulders, but it’s a role he’s ready for.

Ott has thrown for nearly 6,000 yards and 68 touchdowns in just two seasons. In 2023, Ott had the Shamrocks yards away from a state title. His experience will be key as younger receivers get up to speed.

"At first it was a little shaky with the new guys," Ott said. "But everyday we get better. Everyday we get more motivated. We just keep going."

"Having a quarterback who's seasoned under there, helps the young guys stay confident and he can tell them the tricks you only know through playing," Smith said. "When you throw the ball as much as we do, it helps to not only have a talented quarterback but also one with experience."

Yuma Catholic will open the 2025 season on the road against perennial 5A contender Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale, a big test to start a new era.

But Ott isn't fazed.

"I'm excited. It's gonna be fun," he said. "At the end of the day, we're all just kids out here playing football. They might be bigger, but we'll be fine,"

Ott will be competing with rising junior and last year's backup Scout Reese for the starting job this fall. But if the last year has proven anything, it's that pressure and competition won’t shake him.