Jehiem Oatis Releases Statement on Transfer
Earlier on Monday, it was announced that Alabama defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis would forgo the remainder of the college football season, accept a redshirt, and transfer from the University of Alabama when the portal opened in December.
Oatis has appeared in four games for the Crimson Tide this season. He is currently credited with playing against Vanderbilt, which would be his fifth year, but Oatis told Thamel that was incorrect.
On Monday night, Oatis released a statement via his Instagram on his decision to transfer.
Oatis began, "To the University of Alabama, my teammates, coaches, fans, and everyone who has been part of my journey since I first stepped on campus:
It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to take a redshirt and enter the transfer portal in December," Oatis wrote. "This decision did not come easily, but I need to prioritize my future and career. While this season did not unfold the way we had hoped, my love for this school and its incredible fanbase remains as strong as ever. I am deeply grateful for the memories and experiences that have shaped me here, and I will carry them with me for the rest of my life."
Oatis continued, "As I look forward to the next chapter, I am excited to find a new home where I can bring NFL-caliber play and help my future team compete for championships."
Oatis has appeared in four games for Alabama this season, and has started 13 over the two years he has been in Tuscaloosa. During his tenure at Alabama, Oatis has played in 29 career games, 57 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and five passes swatted down.
Injuries de-railed what appeared to be a promising career for Oatis, dealing with three injuries last season, missing all of spring camp with an injury, and not playing in Alabama's 40-35 loss to Vanderbilt due to a knee injury.
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