According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive tackle Jehiem Oatis has committed to Colorado and head coach Deion Sanders.

According to the transfer portal, Oatis was the best overall defensive lineman 247Sport.

The junior transfer started 13 games for the Crimson Tide in his first two years. He recorded 57 tackles, 1.5 sacks and five passes defensed.

According to Thamel, Oatis played in just four games for Alabama this season before opting to redshirt and not participating in the rest of the season. He recorded two tackles and one pass defensed.

Oatis said playing time was a big reason for his decision to part ways with the Alabama program, according to Thamel.

“He’s been battling injuries and hasn’t been able to perform or perform as well as any of us would like,” Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said in October, according to Tide Illustrated’s Jack Knowlton. “But my focus is on the players who will do everything they can to help us win football games. That’s my focus at the moment.”

Oatis did not play in Alabama’s 40-25 loss to Vanderbilt on Oct. 5, which supported his decision. According to Knowlton, head coach Kalen DeBoer said he wasn’t surprised by the choice.

“Jaheim, it felt like it was going that way,” DeBoer said, according to Knowlton. “I think you also have to understand that there are other elements. There are elements of health, there are elements of life. I love these guys, they work hard and Jaheim’s decisions, there are reasons for that. He has notified this and continues to be in contact here. “We kind of had a feeling that it was going to go this way, not just today or yesterday, but especially here in the last few days. We’re moving forward with the guys who can really help us win and focusing on our program.

The Crimson Tide are 9-3 heading into their bowl game against the Michigan Wolverines. Despite being a highly touted team, Alabama failed to make the 12-team playoffs.