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Former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive tackle Jehiem Oatis has committed to Colorado and head coach Deion Sanders, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Pete Thamel @PeteThamel
Former Alabama junior DT Jehiem Oatis has committed to Colorado, he tells ESPN. He’s the No. 1 defensive player in ESPN’s Transfer Portal rankings and the No. 5 overall player. Oatis started 13 games during his first two years at Alabama and is a former Top 40 recruit. <a href=”https://t.co/55163wVuT2″>pic.twitter.com/55163wVuT2</a>
Oatis was the top overall defensive lineman in the in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports.
The junior transfer started 13 games for the Crimson Tide during his first two years. He recorded 57 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and five passes defended.
Oatis played in just four games for Alabama this season before opting to redshirt and not participate in the remainder of the season, per Thamel. He recorded two tackles and one pass defended.
Oatis has said that playing time was a big reason for his decision to part ways with the Alabama program, per Thamel.
“He’s been battling injuries, not been able to perform or produce in the way that any of us would like,” Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said back in October, per Tide Illustrated’s Jack Knowlton. “But my focus is on the players that are going to do everything they can to help us win football games. So that’s really where my focus is right now.”
Oatis did not appear in Alabama’s 40-25 loss against Vanderbilt on Oct. 5, solidifying his decision. Head coach Kalen DeBoer expressed that he was not surprised by the choice, according to Knowlton.
“Jaheim, it felt like it was going that way,” DeBoer said, per Knowlton. “I think you also have to understand there’s other elements to this. There’s health elements, there’s life elements. I love these guys, they work hard and Jaheim’s choices, there’s reasons for that. He has notified and continued to be in communication here with us. Kinda felt like it was maybe going in that direction, not just today or yesterday but just here in the last few days. We move forward with the guys that really are able to help us win and focused on our program.”
The Crimson Tide stand at 9-3 ahead of their bowl game against the Michigan Wolverines. Despite being a highly touted team, Alabama failed to make the 12-team playoffs.