Jehiem Oatis was supposed to be the crown jewel of Deion Sanders’ transfer class at Colorado. The former Alabama defensive tackle arrived in Boulder with elite credentials and sky-high expectations.
But before he’s even taken his first snap in black and gold, whispers from the coaching staff suggest something troubling: the most talented player on the field might not want it badly enough.
Why Are Colorado Coaches Concerned About Jehiem Oatis?
On paper, Oatis looks like the kind of transfer that transforms a program overnight. The former four-star recruit from Mississippi spent three seasons as a critical piece of Nick Saban’s Alabama machine, starting 13 games and earning Freshman All-SEC honors.
His .9300 rating in the 247 Sports transfer rankings made him the No. 14 overall player available and the top defensive lineman on the board.
However, after Saban’s retirement and a redshirt year under Kalen DeBoer, Oatis decided to leave Tuscaloosa. He entered the portal and chose Boulder to train under Sanders and Hall of Famer Warren Sapp. At 6’4″ and pushing 370 pounds, he possesses the size, strength, and agility to anchor the middle and free up Colorado’s playmakers.
But according to Kevin Borba from “Locked On Buffs,” the reality looks more complicated than the impressive resume suggests. In a recent episode, Borba went on to say, “I mean, Jeheim Otis. He’s the problem in the room. We’re going to be talking about how he doesn’t seem to be bought in. He’s showing signs of bust potential.”
While Borba acknowledged it’s too early to label Oatis a complete bust, he emphasized that the defensive tackle is “showing signs” of drifting in the wrong direction.
This assessment didn’t emerge from nowhere. Oatis’ offseason surgeries kept him off the field for most of spring practice, and preseason clips of him being called out during drills have started circulating online.
The most damning evidence came from an unexpected source. In one viral moment, rapper Gillie the Kid relayed what a Colorado coach allegedly told him about Oatis. “He’s one of the most talented mfers on this field by far, but he don’t want it,” said Gillie. In other words, as Borba explained, “Gilly is saying the coaches are saying he’s not working hard enough.”
This represents a troubling development for a player once courted by every SEC powerhouse. At Alabama, Oatis totalled 52 tackles, four pass breakups, and 1.5 sacks across 29 games. He also received an All-SEC nod and an Outland Trophy watch list mention.
“He said he’s one of the most talented MFers on the field…By far. But he don’t want it.”- Gillie on what a Colorado coach told him about Alabama transfer Jaheim Oatis
pic.twitter.com/G8ODgzb0VD
— LockedOnBuffs (@LockedOnBuffs) August 14, 2025
The irony cuts deep because Oatis specifically came to Boulder seeking that kind of accountability and push.
“Great, great coaches. Lot of help. They know what they’re talking about. They want you to go get it, go after it,” he told ESPN, praising Sanders and Sapp for their ability to “lead the right way.”
What Does This Mean for Colorado’s Defense?
Yet Borba argues that those resources won’t matter if the player himself isn’t mentally engaged. “Instead, we’re getting videos of him… in a very concerning tone, because he’s just not living up to his end of the bargain,” Borba said.
This creates massive concerns for Colorado’s defensive future. The Buffaloes’ defense jumped from No. 124 to No. 38 in scoring defense in 2024-25 under Robert Livingston, but nine starters have departed. Oatis, who was never expected to be a plug-and-play starter, now needs to become the centerpiece of the Buffs’ defensive puzzle.
Borba drew an ominous comparison to another recent Colorado disappointment. “It’s very eerily similar to Bishop Thomas to me,” he noted.
Thomas was a four-star Florida State signee dismissed from Colorado after spending the 2023 season in a rotational role. Thomas appeared in nine games for the Buffs, logging 117 snaps with six tackles, two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery before being accused of violating team rules and suspended.
The situation becomes more frustrating when considering the resources at Oatis’ disposal. Colorado’s defensive staff features Hall of Famer Warren Sapp, 15-year NFL veteran Domata Peko, and head coach Sanders himself. Beyond the defensive line, names like Marshall Faulk and Robert Livingston bring decades of NFL experience to the program.
As Borba noted, it’s the kind of environment designed to hold players accountable and push them toward their full potential.
“You’ve got all these resources… guys who want the best for you. And we’re two weeks out from the first game of the season…and you’re not living up to the hype,” Borba added.
The biggest 🏈 pic.twitter.com/To4ymyxFOI
— Jaheim Oatis (@JaheimOatis) October 18, 2024
For Colorado, Oatis could quickly transform into a cautionary tale of the modern transfer portal era. As Borba explained, “For every guy who’s looking to boost their draft stock… there’s a guy like Jeheim Otis who leaves a blueblood program.” Alabama didn’t fight to keep him, despite his measurables and upside.
“And nowadays with NIL, especially at programs like Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Florida… if they want to keep someone, they will. Right?” added Borba. “They let Jeheim Otis walk, mid-season by the way. They said, ‘It’s okay. We don’t, don’t worry about it. We’re fine.'” Now Sanders faces the challenge of unlocking that potential.
Can Oatis Still Turn Things Around Before the Season?
The verdict isn’t final or fatal just yet. Oatis still has two years of eligibility remaining, and his combination of size and quickness remains rare enough to dominate if he gets his priorities in order. The transformation is very possible because Oatis has no shortage of role models surrounding him in Boulder.
Interestingly, Peko has already told reporters to “watch out” for another Alabama transfer, Anquin Barnes. Barnes arrived in Boulder with less fanfare, but after dropping from 345 pounds to around 310, he’s expected to step up in the interior.
Coach Peko on Anquin Barnes:
“Watch out for Barnes this year…
he’s going to put on a show for you guys.” 👀 pic.twitter.com/MG9zrIFUPx
— DNVR Buffs (@DNVR_Buffs) August 5, 2025
For a defensive line searching for answers, it may be Barnes, not Oatis, who makes headlines first. The Buffaloes have too many critical issues to resolve heading into the new season. But right now, with the season opener against Georgia Tech approaching quickly, the highest-rated transfer in Sanders’ class is carrying more question marks than answers.
