Former Alabama standout defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis has lifted the curtain on his midseason transfer, openly criticizing the new coaching staff in Tuscaloosa and revealing the emotional toll behind his decision to join Colorado under Deion Sanders.
🛫 A Star Recruited for a Saban Dynasty
- A former 5-star recruit from the 2022 class, Oatis quickly made an impact for Alabama, starting 10 games as a freshman and earning Freshman All-SEC honors
- In 2023, he continued contributing with 55 tackles, 3 TFL, and 1.5 sacks over his sophomore and early junior seasons
🔄 The Turning Point: Coaching Change & Role Diminished
After Nick Saban’s retirement, Oatis initially elected to stay under Kalen DeBoer. But early in the 2024 season, he saw his playing time and role dry up:
“Last year… they were literally messing me over and weren’t giving me playing time… The new staff wasn’t for me.”
— Oatis speaking to On3’s Pete Nakos
He officially entered the transfer portal on October 7, maintaining his redshirt status after appearing in just five games that season
🇨🇷 A Fresh Start in Boulder
Oatis committed to Colorado, where he’ll play under coach Deion Sanders and work with renowned defensive line mentors like Warren Sapp and Domata Peko
He emphasized this move as not just a change of scenery, but a reclamation of his career:
“I’ve got a lot to prove.”
🧠 Scheme & Culture Clash
Analysts note that Alabama’s transition to a 3–3–5 defense under Wommack may have marginalized traditional nose-tackle types like Oatis. Critics argue that his diminished role wasn’t solely due to inconsistency, but also schematic misfit and staff preference .
👀 What’s Next for Oatis & the Buffaloes
- Oatis retains two years of eligibility and is poised to step into a leadership role on Colorado’s front line
- His debut is set for August 29 against Georgia Tech — a performance many will be watching as a barometer of his bounce-back and system fit .
✅ Final Take
Jehiem Oatis’s candid comments—“they were literally messing me over”—offer rare insight into the human cost of coaching transitions. Beyond on-field schematics and roster calculus, his departure reveals the personal impact of being underutilized and losing trust.
His move to Colorado under a high-profile staff carries high stakes—but if Oatis can flourish in Deion’s program, his bold leap might define his resilience more than his criticisms ever could.
