The Alabama Crimson Tide are reeling from the weekend’s monumental upset loss to the Vanderbilt Commodores. Monday’s news about one of their defensive linemen will not improve things for Kalen DeBoer’s squad.
Defensive tackle Jehiem Oatis has informed the school that he plans to redshirt the rest of the season and enter the transfer portal.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel had the news first on Monday morning.
Alabama junior DT Jehiem Oatis plans to redshirt and enter the NCAA transfer portal, he told ESPN. Oatis started 13 games his first two years and was a Top 40 recruit. He said the reason for leaving is playing time, as he played 25 total snaps against Georgia and Wisconsin. pic.twitter.com/pksgmAWsGY
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 7, 2024
Thamel notes that Oatis’s lack of playing time was a factor in his decision. Other notable players, such as former UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka and USC Trojans defensive tackle Bear Alexander, have also decided to redshirt and transfer this season, but Oatis is one of the most prominent players to make the decision so far.
Oatis was a top 40 recruit and starter for the Tide under Nick Saban but has not translated under Kalen DeBoer. The junior defensive tackle had 55 tackles in his first two seasons compared to just two in the 2024 campaign.
Oatis is expected to be one of the top players in the transfer portal once it opens back up.
