Alabama DT Jeheim Oatis to Enter NCAA Transfer Portal over Lack of Playing Time

Alabama junior defensive tackle Jeheim Oatis plans to redshirt for the remainder of the 2024 campaign before hitting the transfer portal in the offseason, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Oatis cited a lack of playing time as the basis for his decision, with Thamel noting that the defensive tackle only played 25 snaps between the Georgia and Wisconsin games and didn't play against Vanderbilt due to a minor knee injury. Because he's only appeared in four games, he's still eligible for a redshirt.

The motivation for Oatis' departure is his professional future—with more playing time, he can put more on film for NFL teams to evaluate:

Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack confirmed Oatis' departure on Monday.

"He's been battling some injuries, has not been able to perform or produce the way that any of us would like, but my focus is really on the players that are going to do everything they can to help us win football games," he told reporters.

Former Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix seemingly reacted to Oatis' exit in posts on his X account, criticizing the state of college football and the transfer portal:

The 21-year-old started 10 games for Alabama during his freshman year in 2022 and earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors after posting 29 tackles and a sack, though injuries limited him to three starts last season. He did appear in 13 total games during the 2023 season, however, notching 26 tackles (one for loss) and 0.5 sacks.

After Nick Saban retired, Oatis chose to remain with Alabama following the hiring of Kalen DeBoer, but missed spring practice due to more injury issues. Nonetheless, Oatis was expecting big things for the Crimson Tide's defensive line.

"This D-Line man, with more work we're finna go crazy this year," he told reporters in August. "Putting the work in just on and off the field, just making each other better."

The defensive line may still have a good campaign, even in the wake of a shocking upset loss against Vanderbilt on Saturday. But it will be doing so without Oatis.