Former Alabama defensive tackle Jehiem Oatis, the No. 1 defensive player in ESPN’s transfer rankings, has committed to Colorado, he told ESPN on Monday.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound junior was one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal and the No. 5 player overall in ESPN’s transfer rankings. He still has two more seasons of eligibility.

Oatis, the No. 38 overall recruit in the 2022 ESPN 300, started 13 games in his first two seasons at Alabama and appeared in four games in 2024.

Oatis is the latest big-name transfer to join coach Deion Sanders in Colorado. The Buffaloes’ portal-heavy approach to rebuilding their roster paid off in 2024 with a 9-3 record and a No. 23 spot in the final College Football Playoff rankings.

Oatis told ESPN that he traveled to Colorado to “make the team great again.”

He made the choice based on Sanders, defensive coach Damione Lewis and analyst Warren Sapp. There is a feeling that the combination of these three coaches can help Oatis realize his enormous potential.

“I feel like it’s beneficial to me and I feel like I can help a lot this season,” he said. “And I’ll have a coach I can rely on and a position coach to guide me in the right direction.”

Offseason surgeries forced Oatis to miss spring training and limited him at the start of preseason camp. After playing a rotating role under new Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, Oatis made the decision midway through the season to sit out the remainder of 2024 and redshirt.

During his time in Tuscaloosa, Oatis recorded 52 tackles, 5 pass breakups and 1.5 sacks.

Colorado had one of the most improved defenses in the country under first-year defensive coordinator Robert Livingston, jumping from 124th in the FBS in scoring defense last season to 38th in 2024.

“Great, great coaches,” Oatis said. “A lot of help. They know what they’re talking about and they point you in the right direction. They want you to get it and go after it.”

Sanders must replace Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year Shedeur Sanders and nine starters on defense. Colorado is expected to sign another large class of transfer recruits in 2025.

Oatis is a Mississippi native and has followed Sanders since he built Jackson State into a nationally relevant team.

“Just seeing Coach Prime go to Jackson State first, where I’m from, and him coaching at Jackson State and seeing what he’s done for them,” Oatis told ESPN. “Then coming to Colorado and making this team great again. That was a really great thing.”