As Colorado stars leave for NFL, Coach Prime welcomes top defensive transfer portal prospect to Boulder

Finding new talent is at the top of the Colorado Buffaloes' list before the 2025 season. Coach Prime and the program started on the right foot after landing a visit and the reported commitment of former Alabama defensive lineman Jehiem Otis.

According to 247 Sports, Oatis is the No. 14 prospect overall and the top defensive lineman in the transfer portal. He still has two years of eligibility remaining.

Oatis, a junior from Columbia, Mississippi, redshirted the season in October after his playing time decreased significantly under new Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer. He averaged 16 snaps a game and had only two tackles in 2024.

The 6-foot-5, 320-pound lineman started 13 games in his first two years at Alabama, contributing 55 tackles and 1.5 sacks. However, he couldn't stay on the field after the coaching change.

He will look to recapture his pre-2024 playing level under the guidance of Colorado defensive line coach Damione Lewis and defensive analyst Warren Sapp.

Before the season, Oatis missed time due to surgeries on his shoulder, knee and ankle. That may have played a role in his diminishing playing time after the coaching change.

Line play on both sides of the ball has been an issue for Colorado for the last two years. While the Buffaloes improved in 2024, they still ranked 63rd against the run, allowing 148.3 yards per game. It was most evident in their loss to the Kansas Jayhawks when they surrendered 331 yards on the ground, 207 of them to Devin Neal.

Oatis' presence should help address that need, shoring up the middle of the defense.

The former Crimson Tide defensive lineman traveled to Boulder on Monday. His commitment is considered a major move for a Colorado program that will have to reinvent itself following the departures of some key elements.

The Colorado Buffaloes will have a new look in 2025

Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes are looking to reload after a successful 2024 in which they jumped from a 4-8 record in 2023 to 9-3 in his second year in Boulder.

However, the Buffaloes will lose some talent, including Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and starting quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Safety Shilo Sanders is also leaving.

While Jehiem Oatis is the Buffaloes' most impressive commitment, he isn't the only notable name arriving in Boulder via the transfer portal. Quarterback Kaidon Salter is expected to get the starting job after moving in from Liberty.

Offensive lineman Carter Miller (UL Monroe), linebacker Reginald Hughes (Jacksonville State) and cornerback Makari Vickers (Oklahoma) are also names to follow after arriving through the portal.

The Buffaloes will travel to San Antonio to face the BYU Cougars on Dec. 28 in the Alamo Bowl.