The University of Alabama football program will not have a veteran defensive lineman after this season.
Jehiem Oatis, a native Mississippian, plans to redshirt the remainder of this year and enter the NCAA transfer portal.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel broke the news Monday during the pressers of Kalen DeBoer, Nick Sheridan, and Kane Wommack.
RELATED: Alabama DL plans to enter transfer portal, per report
Oatis, a former four-star in the 2022 recruiting class, has battled injuries since last season. The 6-foot-5, 325-pounder had an incredible body transformation before starting his freshman year.
He dropped from over 400 pounds to 360, earning his playing time and Freshman All-SEC honors.
Oatis took a step forward as a sophomore and continued to produce, but he has not impacted the defense through five games this season.
Wommack, Alabama’s defensive coordinator, said his focus is on the players that are going to help the Crimson Tide win games.
“He’s been battling some injuries,” Wommack said about Oatis.”He has not been able to perform or produce the way that any of us would like.”
Coach DeBoer said he knew Oatis was leaning toward transferring at some point.
“I felt like it was going that way,” DeBoer said.
“The thing you have to understand is thee’s other elements to this. There’s health. There’s life elements. He has notified and continued to be in communication with us.
Oatis has played in 29 career games, including 13 starts. He has 57 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, seven quarterback quarterback hurries, and five pass breakups. Oatis helped the Tide to a Southeastern Conference Championship last season, but he will look to take his talents elsewhere after this campaign at Alabama.
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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.
