Jaheim Oatis praises growth of offensive line group

If anyone knows how the Alabama offensive line is shaping up heading into the summer, it’s their defensive line counterparts. Going up against one another all spring, nobody got a better view of their progression over 15 practices. Results have seemingly been positive, at least according to defensive lineman Jaheim Oatis.

With a new quarterback stepping into the offense, leadership will have to come from elsewhere. Oatis believes there are a couple of guys up front who fit the bill, naming two guys who were starters last season. When describing the unit’s overall work ethic, Oatis was more than complimentary.

“That group hard,” Oatis said. “That group works hard. That whole group works hard. JC (Latham) is a good leader, (Tyler Booker) is a good leader. The whole offensive line is leaders. They work hard.”

Booker and Latham are expected to man the right side of Alabama’s offensive line this season. That’s nothing new for Latham, who played in and started all 13 games at right tackle a year ago. Booker was considered a rotational player as a freshman, mixing time between both guard spots. Right guard will be where he settles during 2023.

But for Oatis, he would have spent more time going up against the interior guys. Seth McLaughlin is back to play center, while left guard will be a true competition. Oatis seems to have confidence in the guys he has been going up against.

Jaheim Oatis not the only one impressed with right side of Alabama offensive line

Unprovoked, Oatis went out of his way to mention the two guys on the right-hand side of Alabama’s offensive line. He is not the first to do so during spring practice, as fellow defensive lineman Tim Smith did the same recently. While he enjoys the competition, Smith recognizes how well Latham and Booker performed this spring.

“Oh, definitely,” Smith laughed. “Definitely. I feel like, for me, I like going against them. It’s a lot of work. It’s not just a pushover. It’s good on good. You know what I’m saying? Nobody wants to be embarrassed at practice and this is my life. Yeah, that side is definitely doing it over there.”

Whoever wins the quarterback competition, they will have at least their right side blocked. There will be some questions regarding the blindside but offensive line coach Eric Wolford has plenty of capable bodies to insert into the lineup.