Alabama football added a veteran defensive lineman to its list of injuries in spring practice.
None of these are major, according to Kalen DeBoer, as the Crimson Tide’s head football coach expects these players to return soon.
He highlighted names such as CJ Dippre (tight end), Germie Bernard (wide receiver), and Sterling Dixon (linebacker) on Thursday as players that are dealing with small things.
Jehiem Oatis, a junior defensive lineman, was also named via DeBoer.
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Oatis, a former four-star in the 2022 signing class from Mississippi, had 26 total tackles in 2023.
He turned in a tackle for loss, two pass breakups, and two quarterback hurries. Oatis assisted the Tide to a Southeastern Conference Championship and a berth in thee College Football Playoff. The 6-foot-5, 320-pounder changed the spelling of his first name from “Jahiem” to Jehiem before spring practice.
He arrived to Alabama as a freshmen weighing over 400 pounds; however, Oatis has had an incredible body transformation.
His determination to drop weight allowed him to start as a freshman.
DeBoer did not unveil Oatis’ injury, but he is hopeful to have him back soon.
“It is still up in the air,” DeBoer said on the timetable of when Oatis will be back from injury. “We are certainly aware of it.”
Alabama needs Oatis to be healthy, especially in wanting to have two dominant defensive tackles clogging the middle for the 4-2-5 Swarm Defense to work.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
