Jaheim Oatis reflects on 100-pound weight loss “I feel great!”

Jaheim Oatis is one of the few true freshmen to contribute to Alabama football's 2022 Allstate Sugar Bowl win.

He's a four-star player out of Mississippi State and one of the top prospects at defensive tackle. Otis was so good in spring training and preseason camp that he shared the starting duties at former tackle with DJ Dell. Crimson Tide recruited him when he was 417 pounds and challenged him to lose weight. Otis accepted the challenge and was determined to make himself a big deal. He was down to 370 pounds when he signed the national letter of intent, down from 348 pounds when he played last season. At 6-foot-5 and 70 pounds lighter, Otis has made a difference in explosiveness, short-area speed and power. He successfully reset the opposing team's offensive line, constantly creating chaos in the backfield.

Otis recorded 29 tackles for loss, two tackles for loss, one sack, four quarterback hustles and two pass fumbles in 12 games.

He made 10 starts and earned All-SEC Freshman Team honors from the league's coaches. Oatis is now 316 pounds, which is equivalent to the 100 pounds he lost a year ago. He shared his excitement on social media, saying “I feel great!” Otis looks set to be a front-line force next fall as he looks to show everyone what he can do.