Nick Saban on Jaheim Oatis: The team doesn't view him as a freshman

Jaheim Oatis is having some freshman season, and Nick Saban is taking notice.

The Alabama defensive lineman received nothing but high praise from his head coach heading into Saturday’s matchup against Mississippi State, and in turn has lead to Oatis’ playing time increasing as the season has progressed.

“I think he’s done a really, really good job of being able to stay focused, know what to do,” Saban said Wednesday. “No moment’s been too big for him, and as a freshman, you’d never know he’s a freshman. I don’t think the other players on the defense look at him as a freshman because of his maturity and the way he goes about his business. He’s done a really good job for us this year.”

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Oatis was a four-star player who, in the On3 Consensus, ranked as the No. 81 overall prospect, No. 11 defensive lineman and No. 2 player from the state of Mississippi. Prior to committing back in April of 2021, Oatis had held his offer from Alabama since his eighth-grade football season.

Once sitting at 416 pounds, Oatis was 342 with just over a month remaining until his true freshman season, and is now listed on Alabama’s website as 348 entering the season. Over 75 pounds shed in college football’s Mecca will have anyone take notice. Despite his size, he was a highly-touted defensive lineman out of hight school and many schools vied for his services thanks to his massive presence in the trenches.

He’s proven to be just that through the first half of his true freshman season. With 20 tackles, one sack and one pass defended to his credit through seven games, the 6-foot-5 true freshman makes his presence known on every snap.

Even scarier, he’ll be in Tuscaloosa for at least two and a half more years. Giving Nick Saban the time to develop the already-productive Oatis, there’s no limit to what he can become on the football field.