Colorado's Jehiem Oatis Reveals Why He Left Alabama, Rips Kalen DeBoer's Staff

Colorado Buffaloes defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis started his college career with one of the best programs in the country. 

After committing to legendary coach Nick Saban as a four-star prospect in the class of 2022, he figured he would stay in Tuscaloosa until the NFL came calling. But those plans were derailed when the coaching great announced his retirement after the 2023 season. Oatis decided to enter the transfer portal and eventually decided on Colorado to play for Deion Sanders. 

In a recent interview with On3's Pete Nakos, Oatis revealed what drove him away from Alabama and why he's loving his time in Boulder. “I left Alabama because I came in with coach Saban. I took it to heart," Oatis said. "That was one of my biggest dreams: To play in college football for coach Saban and win a ring. When I heard he was leaving — nobody saw it coming."

Alabama hired former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer as the next coach of the Crimson Tide. Under the new staff, Oatis felt he didn't belong and realized mid-season he needed to leave. "The new staff wasn’t for me. And once I found out that they didn’t mess with me, I knew it was time to get up and get out of there,” Oatis said.

Colorado had something Alabama couldn't offer. Coach Prime and his NFL-experienced coaching staff was ready to mold Oatis as a next-level prospect. But having Warren Sapp attached to the program with day-to-day instruction was key in bringing the situation full circle.  

“Got a great defensive line coach in coach Sapp,” Oatis added. “I came out here because of the great coaches. And I wanted to play for coach Deion. Seeing our coaches, you know what they did in the league and the legacy they left there. Like coach Peko, he played 15 years in the league at nose tackle. That explains it all right there.”

Sanders and his staff have over 150 years of NFL experience, which is the most in FBS. Beyond the pro-ready approach, Oatis will be called upon to be a leader in the Buffs defensive front. It's a role he's ready for coming from the SEC to the Big 12 next season.   

“I feel like it's beneficial for me, and I feel like I can give a lot of help to this season," Oatis said. "And I will have a coach I can depend on and a position coach leading me the right way."

Oatis and the Buffs open the 2025 season at home on Friday, Aug 29 against Georgia Tech (8 p.m. ET on ESPN).