Colorado’s Jahiem Oatis on Leaving Alabama: ‘New Staff Didn’t Mess With Me’

Former Alabama defensive tackle Jehiem Oatis didn’t hold back in a recent On3 interview when discussing his decision to transfer following the end of the Nick Saban era.

Oatis, a four-star recruit who arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2022, said he was deeply committed to playing for Saban. “I came in with Coach Saban. That was one of my biggest dreams,” he told On3’s Pete Nakos.

But once Saban retired, Alabama’s new staff under Kalen DeBoer “wasn’t for me. Once I found out that they didn’t mess with me, I knew it was time to get up and get out of there,” prompting him to seek a fresh path.

Oatis is now headed to Colorado, where he’ll suit up for Deion Sanders at Boulder. He specifically praised the defensive staff, especially NFL veteran Warren Sapp and former pro Domata Peko.

“Coach Sapp is a great defensive line coach who explains it all,” Oatis continued, citing their NFL pedigrees as a significant draw.

During his time with Alabama, Oatis was a starter as a freshman and earned All‑SEC Freshman honors. However, his role diminished in 2023 and 2024, resulting in limited starts before he opted to redshirt. That loss of on-field opportunity under DeBoer’s staff further fueled his choice to transfer.

Now, with two years of eligibility left, Oatis views Colorado as an opportunity to revive his draft stock, highlighting his determination to “prove” himself. In joining the Buffaloes, he’s not just changing teams; he’s stepping into a program under a high-profile spotlight with NFL-caliber mentors and a clear path forward.

The move also arrives during a critical moment for Colorado’s defense, one that has lost key talents like Travis Hunter and many others. Oatis’s arrival helps fill a big gap up front and reinforces what Deion Sanders is building in Boulder.