Alabama football had a veteran player change the spelling of his name before spring practice.
Jaheim Oatis, a former four-star, came to the University of Alabama in its 2022 recruiting class as a four-star defensive lineman from Columbia, Miss. He earned Freshman All-SEC recognition in 2022, playing in 12 games with 10 starts. Oatis got his weight down from over 400 pounds to 320 to earn a marquee opportunity. He collected 29 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, four quarterback hurries, and two pass breakup. The 6-foot-5 specimen played in 13 games last year, including three starts.
RELATED: 30 Alabama players to watch this spring: Keon Keeley
Oatis missed the South Florida matchup, but he totaled 26 tackles, a tackle for loss, half a sack, two quarterback hurries, and two pass breakups. He assisted the Crimson Tide’s defense to a Southeastern Conference Championship and a return to the College Football Playoff. Oatis enters his third season under Freddie Roach as his position coach, but he enters his first year under Kane Wommack as his defensive coordinator. It will be interesting to see how he can be explosive in the 4-2-5 “Swarm Defense.”
Oatis unveiled something new on social media and the team’s roster. He changed the spelling of his first name from Jaheim to “Jehiem.” Alabama fans will have to get use to the small change, but it should not be a massive adjustment.
Oatis and the Tide will begin spring practice on Monday, March 4.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
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.
