How Jaheim Oatis' 100-Pound Weight Loss Led to Starting Role as Freshman
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Jaheim Oatis came into Alabama as freshman with no expectation of early playing time. Weighing over 400 pounds coming out of high school in Mississippi, the defensive lineman was having conversations with the Alabama nutrition staff before he even arrived on campus as an early enrollee last spring.
"I didn’t think I was going to play because I weighed so much," Oatis said Tuesday as the Crimson Tide enters week two of spring football. "So when I came in, they were helping me with the weight, and then DJ Dale talked to me, helped me out during the season, and for the first three games told me how the game was going to move and play.”
Oatis saw playing time in the first two games before earning his first start in Week 3 against Louisiana-Monroe. He would go on to start 10 games during his freshman campaign, earning Freshman All-SEC honors.
In order to get to a comfortable playing weight, Oatis lost almost 100 pounds. With help from the nutrition staff at Alabama, including the director of performance nutrition Amy Bragg, the defensive lineman transformed his diet. He traded in fried food, bread and rice for vegetables, salad and baked chicken and shrimp.
“Seeing him go through that process, work hard and stay dedicated was very impressive," said senior linebacker Chris Braswell. "And obviously that does help open up lanes as far as pass rushing.”
Oatis said the weight loss helps him feel better, breathe better, practice better and has made him much quicker on his feet. This led to him becoming a major contributor along the Alabama defensive line last season. He finished his freshman campaign with 29 tackles, including two for loss and a sack.
Entering his sophomore season, Oatis said he currently weighs around 320 pounds. He is listed at 328 pounds on the roster and said he is comfortable in the 320-330 range.
With veteran players like Dale and Byron Young headed off to the NFL, the sophomore will continue to earn more playing time and step into a bigger role. Even though he was one of the few freshmen to start for the Crimson Tide last season, Oatis said he still has a lot to learn himself as Alabama continues to work towards A-Day.
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