Jaheim Oatis trying to help bring along Alabama's young D-linemen
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama coach Nick Saban was asked about the play of the defensive line after Saturday’s preseason scrimmage and pointed to a lack of depth at the position.
“I think we have 5-6 guys that are playing pretty well,” Saban said. “Again, the same old thing, we need more people to be able to go out there and play consistently the way you need to play to play winning football because that’s probably not enough. … Everybody’s got something that they need to work on, and that’s really what we’re focused on right now.”
But Saban also spoke highly of a pair of returning players. He mentioned senior Justin Eboigbe, who is back after missing the last nine games of the 2022 season with a neck injury. The first defensive lineman that came to Saban’s mind, however, was sophomore Jaheim Oatis, who has had “a really, really good camp” through the first nine days, according to the head coach.
Oatis, going into his second year at Alabama, shared his points of emphasis this preseason.
“Just making sure everybody on the D-line is straight, making sure everybody on defense is straight,” Oatis told local reporters Monday. “Just trying to get everybody on the same level, the same page, so we can play at the advance that we are.”
Oatis was the true freshman that made the biggest impact for Alabama a year ago – literally and figuratively. The massive defensive tackle played in 12 games and took over the starting nose guard role by Week 3, making 10 starts. He was able to get on the field early after transforming his body over this past offseason, which allowed him to record 29 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and four quarterback hurries. His growth from Year 1 to 2 is noticeable.
“I think the biggest thing is the weight transformation,” Eboigbe said. “The commitment towards that and the commitment towards each and every day of trying to get better. That’s each and everyone in that group. Whether you were here last year or you just came in the spring, I feel like just each and every day stacking upon days, and Jaheim has done that.”
Asked about the first of two preseason scrimmages, Oatis said his defensive line group played well but is still working hard. As Saban said, there are 5-6 players there that could make impacts this fall, but there is a need for more. Even though he will only be a sophomore this season, the nose guard is now a veteran in the room and is helping bring the younger players along.
“It’s just making sure everybody knows their plays, making sure everybody is lined up, getting the playbook and knowing what they’ve got to do,” Oatis said. “… All our young guys, all the freshmen, they’re still working hard, they’re still learning, developing, getting better each day.”
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