Deion Sanders Lands Commitment From No. 2 Defensive Lineman In Transfer Portal
12/16/2024 11:01 PM
Deion Sanders secured a significant transfer for Colorado.
According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, former Alabama defensive tackle Jehiem Oatis committed to Coach Prime's Buffaloes on Monday. Oatis confirmed the report on his Instagram Stories by sharing a screenshot of Thamel's tweet and shouting out the "best in the business" for reporting the news.
Oatis posted a photo of him posing with Sanders captioned "our new family." He also encouraged other players to follow him to Colorado.
"All defensive players that wanna come win a National Championship hit my DM! We bringing the CFP [trophy emoji] to Boulder," Oatis wrote.
Oatis joined Nick Saban's Crimson Tide program as a highly touted four-star recruit in 2022. He collected 55 tackles and 1.5 sacks in two seasons before assuming a much-diminished role for Kalen DeBoer this year.
The 6-foot-5, 325-pounder registered the only tackle of his junior season in a Week 1 win over Western Kentucky. He redshirted after playing four games.
Despite the quiet year, Oatis was still considered an impact player on the portal. According to 247Sports, he's the No. 12 transfer this offseason and second-best defensive lineman behind Nebraska edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen.
Meanwhile, ESPN ranks Oatis as its No. 5 overall transfer and top defensive lineman. He told Thamel he's going to Colorado to "make the team great again."
Along with Sanders, Oatis will work alongside defensive line coach Damione Lewis and Hall of Fame defensive tackle Warren Sapp, a senior quality control analyst at Colorado.
"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."
Colorado is 9-3 in Sanders' second season before playing BYU in the Alamo Bowl. Quarterback Julian Lewis headlines the 2025 recruiting class, and offensive lineman Carter Miller transferred from Louisiana-Monroe.
However, the Buffaloes must replace star quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who are NFL-bound as potential No. 1 picks. Oatis could be one of many winter additions as Coach Prime looks to reload for 2025.
Related: Colorado Star Transferring Out Of Deion Sanders' Program
