Colorado’s Prized Transfer Gets Harsh Reality Check Before College Football Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has brought in 30+ transfers in each of his three offseasons on the job, and this year’s class was headlined by a former Nick Saban recruit.
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The biggest catch, both physically and in terms of rankings, was Alabama defensive tackle Jaheim Oatis. The former four-star recruit out of Mississippi spent the first three seasons of his college football career in Tuscaloosa, with his freshman season being his most productive.
He recorded 29 total tackles with one sack, and followed it up with 26 total tackles and 0.5 sacks in 2023. However, with him expected to be an impact player for Kalen DeBoer last season, injuries and falling out of favor with the staff led to him leaving the team.
Oatis ended up ranking as the No. 60 player overall and No. 7 defensive lineman in the portal. Although he has been expected to burst onto the scene for the Buffs, a recent video may indicate he is not living up to the buzz, as Oatis was seen having a chat with rapper and friend of Sanders, Gillie Da Kid.
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The Philadelphia-based rapper and Colorado super fan could be heard telling Oatis what a coach had told him, and let’s just say it wasn’t flattering.
Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jaheim Oatis (91) sacks Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15). Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Jaheim Oatis Called Out for Lack of Effort
After pulling him off to the side during one of Colorado’s practices, Gillie could be heard telling Oatis that the perception around him is that he simply doesn’t care enough.
“I talked to a coach who said 90 right there…’I just got done hollering at him…'” the rapper said. “Said is one of the most talented (expletives) on this field, by far. But he don’t want it. You know how crazy that is man for them to say out of all these (expletives) out here you one of the most talented (expletives) bro?”
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Falling on the Depth Chart
While Colorado’s staff and fans are hopeful that Oatis can figure things out, the staff has already hinted that another former Alabama transfer may make some headlines in the interior in Anquin Barnes. New defensive linecoach and 15-year NFL defensive lineman Domata Peko, recently told the media to “watch out” for Barnes, who dropped from 345 pounds to around 310 pounds, and is expected to step up.
If Oatis being told that he needs to step it up wasn’t a good enough wake-up call already, Barnes’ surge may do the trick.
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Related: Deion Sanders Once Kicked His Son Shilo Sanders Out of Colorado Practice
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
