Alabama Football Top 10 Players of 2023: no. 7
Alabama Football is only a week away from its A-Day game, and the fan base is buzzing with anticipation.
With the spring game quickly approaching, it’s time to unveil the no. 7 player on Bama’s 2023 team. Sophomore defensive tackle Jaheim Oatis could be the best player on the Crimson Tide defensive line in 2023, despite being its youngest member that is already established in the rotation.
Oatis’ play as a true freshman in 2022 was promising enough to earn him a spot on this top ten list. While he was a 4-star recruit coming out of high school, he was not even considered among the ten best players Alabama Football signed in its 2022 recruiting class.
Once the season began, however, Jaheim Oatis outperformed all of his classmates. Just a year ago, he weighed well over 400 pounds. Oatis put in the work to get himself in playing shape by the fall, and was able to be highly disruptive at north of 350 pounds. He started 10 games as a freshman and finished with 29 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack despite facing regular double teams.
Heading into his sophomore season, the big fella has continued his impressive transformation and is now down to a lean and explosive 328 pounds. If Oatis has been able to maintain the power that made him nearly unblockable last season, he could dominate the SEC this fall. He is a freakishly good athlete for his size, and he will likely be a nightmare for opposing offensive lines this year.
Jaheim Oatis should also expect to see more snaps in 2023. He is better conditioned and prepared to contribute as an every-down defensive lineman. Additionally, DJ Dale, with whom Oatis split reps last season, has departed for the NFL Draft. This departure opens up the opportunity for Oatis to be on the field more and to move into more of a leadership role along the defensive front.
Benefits of tempered expectations. dark. Next
Jaheim Oatis flashed his potential in year one. If he makes another jump in his development, he could be the best defensive lineman Alabama Football has had in several years.