Nick Saban has his best depth on the defensive line at Alabama for the first time since 2016.
The Crimson Tide has several veterans, second-year players, and freshmen up front.
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Jaheim Oatis, a freshman from Columbia, Miss., has been the biggest highlight of preseason camp. As a four-star in the 2022 signing class, coaches and players have been amazed by his body transformation and work ethic. Oatis was over 400 pounds during his recruitment, but he’s dropped to 342 pounds and looks incredible. He brings power, quickness, and pass-rushing abilities on the interior. According to DJ Dale, the senior named Oatis as one of the young players he is very excited about.
“Jaheim Oatis has really been working hard,” Dale said.
Dale is energized by all the young defensive linemen, but he went on a body transformation like Oatis. It was not the same as Oatis, but Dale is happy about the freshman wanting to contribute. Dale explained how tough it is to lose weight coming from high school.
“In high school, you were able to do what you wanted to do,” he said. “You could eat what you wanted to eat. It takes a lot of discipline and hard work. We have a great nutrition staff, and he (Oatis) has done everything they have asked him to do. I am happy to see the excitement on his face. Every time he drops some weight, every morning when we are in the locker room he says ‘you heard about my weight today,’ I am just happy for him. He has worked very hard, and I am proud of him.”
Isaiah Hastings and Khurtiss Perry have performed well in camp, but Pete Golding talked about the ‘wiggle’ Oatis has and how players have not been able to stop him one-on-one. Will Anderson described Oatis as a ‘distraction’ as he watches the 300+ pounder get into the backfield easily. Oatis has the mentality of defensive linemen during Saban’s early years in Tuscaloosa.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
