Jaheim Oatis reveals reputation he wants Alabama defensive line to develop
Alabama‘s next star defensive lineman seems like it could be Jaheim Oatis, and it could happen as soon as this upcoming season.
Last season, Oatis bursted on the scene with a solid freshman season, but as he prepares for his sophomore season he’s looking to take a more central role on the Crimson Tide defense. Speaking with the media earlier this offseason, Oatis elaborated on the reputation he’s hoping to cultivate with the rest of his position-mates along the defensive line.
“This defensive line right here, right now we’re just trying to teach everybody the basics. Teach everybody the simple stuff. But from this defensive line group, I just want everybody to be good,” explained Oatis. “Be yourself in the game. That’s it.”
Continuing, the sophomore defensive line explained that he’s taken on more of a leadership role in the locker room in 2023, even though he’s still learned a ton himself.
“I’d say yeah, right now I do,” Oatis responded, asked if he’s being more vocal in the locker room this season. “Right now, I’m still learning myself, the program, the plays. Still having some help with some stuff, so yeah.”
As you can see, Jaheim Oatis seems to be on the right track entering Year 2 with the Crimson Tide. Alabama has a good one on their hands, and the sky is the limit with Oatis.
Jaheim Oatis opens up on weight loss, improvement
Continuing, one of the more underrated storylines of last season for Alabama was the weight loss journey for Jaheim Oatis.
Coming into the program last year, Oatis needed a full body transformation and got results quickly. He was able to contribute early as a freshman and with another offseason under his belt, seems to be in the best shape of his life.
When Oatis was in high school, he was nearly 420 pounds. With nearly a fourth of that weight off, he feels better on a daily basis. Oatis mentioned he is able to breathe easier and be more efficient during practice.
“It’s a lot better,” Oatis said. “Losing all of this weight. I feel a lot better, breathing good, practicing better. When I had all that weight on me, it was a lot. But now that I lost all of it, I feel better.”
Alabama knew a project would be on its hands during the recruiting process. Oatis was speaking with the nutrition department before ever stepping on campus. Everything has gone to plan and to think Oatis is feeling great after having a solid freshman year is scary for the rest of the SEC.
“It is the weight,” Oatis said. “That was my biggest concern coming here, was the weight. I was talking to Miss Amy and all of them before I came. So, as I got my weight down, I feel a lot better. I move way faster than what I did in high school. I’m way quicker. Got quicker on my feet and stuff.”
Jaheim Oatis is leaner, meaner and ready to achieve even more as he continues his career in Tuscaloosa in 2023.