A Bama player is going to Colorado! This is a massive move, considering the history of these two Power 5 programs. What might have motivated a Bama player to commit to Deion Sanders’ Colorado team in that situation? Is it their dismal performance this year? But wait—both Colorado and Alabama have a 9-3 overall record this season, and they are not eligible for the CFB playoffs. Therefore, it is still unclear why the famous athlete left. But Coach Prime will undoubtedly benefit from Alabama’s loss. And the CFB community is buzzing after the latest CU Buffs caper—someone got their bling snatched!

Hayes Fawcett of On3 posted on his X on December 17th, captioning it, “Alabama transfer DL Jehiem Oatis has committed to Colorado.” According to the On3 Industry rankings, Jehiem Oatis was a four-star recruit and the 11th best defensive lineman in the nation in the class of 2022 when he joined the Crimson Tide. In addition, he was among the best players available on the transfer platform. However, he went into the transfer portal back in October after playing for Bama for three seasons. But why Buffs? Is this still bothering you?

Well, back in October, Jehiem Oatis explained his choice to leave Alabama and use the transfer portal, saying, “This decision did not come easily, but I need to prioritize my future and career.” It only shows that the former Alabama defensive lineman thought the Buffs and his head coach, Deion Sanders, were a better fit for his upcoming NFL career. He acknowledged this in his transfer speech: “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.”

Not just that, Oatis took to his IG story saying, “All defensive players that wanna come win a national championship hit my DM! We bringing the CFP to Boulder…” This shows he’s more about building a winning culture than just chasing NIL deals. The Buffs are already stacking their 2025 class with top defensive talent like Alexander McPherson and London Merritt. Now with Oatis on board, Deion’s squad is poised for a big year next season.

However, the CFB community has been rocked by his decision to join the Buffs. People commented that his choice was a poor one for both Colorado and Alabama. Let’s explore the uproar that this defensive lineman has caused.

What CFB fans are saying about Jehiem Oatis’ move

As a true freshman in 2022, Jehiem Oatis made an immediate impression. He started ten games and was named to the Freshman All-SEC team. Early in his undergraduate career, he showed that he could perform at a high level by playing a significant position in the defensive line rotation. Additionally, NFL scouts have taken notice of his unique combination of athleticism and size (6′ 5′ and 325 lbs). In light of the fact that the Bama may suffer a significant loss if this great DL leaves, one fan wrote, “Damn the mighty have fallen.” “Bama’s gonna be down bad next year,” said another fan.

But Oatis played in four games this season and finished with two tackles, a quarterback hurry, and a pass breakup. He experienced ailments in 2024 that hindered his performance and reduced his playing time. As a reminder, a Buffs supporter wrote, “Colorado gonna wreck the big 12.”

As one fan put it, “he’ll transfer next year when Deion leaves.” It kinda makes sense, right? Rumors are swirling that Deion Sanders might be on his way out, especially with his sons heading to the NFL. Now, these are just rumors, but let’s be real—Oatis probably came to Colorado because of Coach Prime. If Prime leaves, who knows what happens? Whatever the case may be, you must acknowledge that this is a defeat for Alabama.

Colorado has a strong brand value, as everyone knows. It draws the majority of elite athletes, and it might also work for Jehiem Oatis. However, one fan said that Oatis’ decision was really poor, considering both teams’ current 9-3 record and their potential for future advancement. “Very bad decision. Major downgrade,” said the CFB fan.

Oatis’ motive for joining the Buffs is the subject of a snarky question from another fan, who says, “Welp hope he can stretch whatever bag Deion is giving him. Woulda became a coachable NFL product if he came to the sip.” Let’s see how well Oatis can work with Deion Sanders and Co. in the future, or if this is just a one-year stint.