Jaheim Oatis was one of the top prospects in the 2023 recruiting class. He committed to Alabama as a four-star recruit and was rated as one of the best defensive linemen in the country.
After two seasons at Alabama, Oatis saw limited action in 2024, appearing in just four games before entering the transfer portal in October. He later committed to Deion Sanders and Colorado, and in a recent interview, he opened up about his decision to leave Alabama midseason.
Jaheim Oatis Says Lack of Support From Alabama’s New Staff Led to Transfer to Colorado
Despite being a highly touted recruit, Oatis didn’t significantly impact Alabama’s defensive line during his first two seasons, only totaling 37 tackles in 2022 and 2023.
Many projected him to be a fixture on the Crimson Tide’s defense in 2024, but that did not pan out as he only appeared in four games before leaving the program and entering his name into the transfer portal.
In a recent interview with On3’s Pete Nakos, Oatis explained that he came to Alabama mainly to play for the legendary Nick Saban.
Oatis said that he felt hurt after Saban retired at the end of his sophomore season in 2023.
“I left Alabama because I came in with coach Saban, and I took it to heart. That was one of my biggest dreams: To play in college football for coach Saban and win a ring,” Oatis told Nakos.
Jehiem Oatis Opens Up to @PeteNakos_ About Transfer to Colorado:
“I left Alabama because I came in with coach Saban, I took it to heart. That was one of my biggest dreams: To play in college football for coach Saban and win a ring… .The new staff wasn’t for me. And once I found… pic.twitter.com/BOn6FFd87f
— On3 (@On3sports) June 29, 2025
Despite Saban’s departure, Oatis stuck with the program for the 2024 campaign, but explained that he quickly realized that he did not gel with the new staff, leading him to enter the transfer portal in October.
“The new staff wasn’t for me. And once I found out that they didn’t mess with me, I knew it was time to get up and get out of there,” Oatis said.
Oatis is now with the Buffaloes and is projected to be a starter on Sanders’ defensive line for the 2025 season. With a coaching staff that he trusts, and one that trusts him, there’s no telling how good Oatis will be next year.
The Mississippi native has all the talent in the world. If he can put it all together under the leadership of Sanders, then Colorado might’ve landed the most significant portal addition of the offseason.
It’s clear that Oatis was done in Tuscaloosa and will begin a new chapter of his college career in Boulder this fall.
