Nick Saban updates Jaheim Oatis, defensive line group's progress

Nick Saban takes pride in his defense. Prior to Alabama’s explosion in the passing game over the last three or four years, the Crimson Tide were a dynasty because of their defense. Last year, the Tide weren’t quite up to their typical standard as a unit on defense. That will change in 2022. And one place where Alabama is always strong and looks to be again this fall is defensive line.

While there aren’t necessarily the level of stars along DL has Alabama is used to returning, there is plenty of depth, according to their head coach. At a recent press conference, Coach Saban spoke with media at length about the team, and asnwered one question in specific about his D-Line.

Here was his update on that group, including a few guys Saban is impressed by:

“Jaheim Oatis has done a really good job. I think Tim Smith has done a really good job. He’s, you know, a guy that’s been out there playing.

“I think the strength of that group is probably the numbers. We have some decent depth. We got to keep developing guys to be able to play with a little more consistency. We’ve got some good pass rushers, but they’re mostly the outside backer type guys.

“We gotta do a better job of, you know, pushing the pocket inside. But, you know, that group works hard and we have some experience. But we also have some young guys that I think can add to the depth and make a contribution.”

So strong numbers along the defensive front for Alabama. Just need a few of those younger pieces Nick Saban mentioned to really break out.

For more on Oatis’ development, check out this update from Alabama DC Pete Golding.

Pete Golding on Jeheim Oatis

Pete Golding finally has Jaheim Oatis on campus. The Crimson Tide DC has been involved with the class of ’22 defensive lineman since he was in eighth grade. So seeing him finish as a top 100 recruit and finally step foot in Tuscaloosa as a University of Alabama student is an accomplishment for Golding.

He’s just excited to have the kid on campus, and sees a very bright future for the young defender. Here were Golding’s comments on Oatis at a recent press conference.

“So, you know, most exciting thing for me: Jaheim, he’s always been a great kid. But like, when he accepted to come to Alabama, he knew what it was going to take. He knew it was going to be hard. He could have gone to a lot of other places where he wasn’t asked to do what he’s gonna be asked to do here.

“And he knew weight was the biggest thing and that’s what we had to focus on. That ended up being one of his biggest decisions to come here was the nutrition, the strength and conditioning to be able to develop him and get him down to where he needed to be to play good, winning football. And he’s done an unbelievable job of that. You know, so I’m excited about him.”