DEION Sanders has made a massive signing to help his Colorado Buffaloes squad for next season.
A huge 320-pound defensive tackle has joined the NFL icon and college football head coach’s Colorado squad.
Former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis celebrates after his team’s victory against the Georgia Bulldogs on September 28[/caption]
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders walks the field before a game against the Colorado State Rams on September 14[/caption]
On Monday, ESPN reported that former Alabama Crimson Tide’s Jehiem Oatis has committed to the Buffaloes.
The 6-foot-5 defender was one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal and ESPN’s No. 5 overall transfer player.
The 22-year-old Oatis has two more seasons of college eligibility.
He has started 13 games in the last two campaigns at Alabama and played in four games in 2024.
Colorado’s latest big-name transfer addition comes after posting a 9-3 record in 2024 and a No. 23 finish in the final College Football Playoff rankings.
Oatis told ESPN that he decided to join the Buffaloes because of Coach Prime, defensive line coach Damione Lewis, and former NFL legend and analyst Warren Sapp.
“I feel like it’s beneficial for me, and I feel like I can give a lot of help to this season,” he told the outlet.
“And I will have a coach I can depend on and a position coach leading me the right way.”
Oatis dealt with offseason surgeries and didn’t participate in spring practice.
He played a rotational role under new Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack and eventually decided during the season to sit out the rest of 2024 and redshirt.
During his Crimson Tide tenure, he posted 52 tackles, 5 pass breakups, and 1.5 sacks.
Sanders will have major work to do for the 2025 season.
The 57-year-old will lose 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, his son and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and nine starters on defense.
It’s expected that Colorado will sign another slew of transfer recruits for 2025, just as they did for 2024.
The school has already gotten a commitment from five-star quarterback prospect Julian Lewis.
Oatis is a native of Mississippi State and has taken notice of Sanders’ ability to jumpstart teams.
Sanders made Jackson State a nationally popular team.
“Just seeing Coach Prime go first to Jackson State, where I’m from, and just to see him coach at Jackson State and see what he did for them,” Oatis told ESPN.
“Then coming over to Colorado and make this team great again. It was a really great thing to do.”
The Buffaloes have their eyes on a victory over the Big 12 Conference rivals BYU Cougars which can see the team secure their first-10-win season since 2016.
