Kalen DeBoer and Kane Wommack react to Jehiem Oatis opting out of the 2024 Alabama football season

It turns out that Alabama football wasn't immune to one of college football's big trends. After playing in three games this season and missing the Crimson Tide's loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday, veteran defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis opted out of the 2024 season while retaining his redshirt.

On Monday, shortly after the news broke, Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer discussed the matter.

“(We) had a feeling this was how it was going to go,” DeBoer said. “I think you also have to understand that there are other elements, right? There are health elements. There are elements of life. I love these guys. They work hard. Jehiem’s decisions and things, there are reasons for that.”

Oatis was injured and missed spring training before DeBoer's first season in charge of the Crimson Tide. He played sparingly in the Tide's first four games and did not take the field against Vanderbilt.

As soon as the next portal window opens, he can switch.

“He notified and notified and continued to be in communication with us here,” DeBoer said. “It kind of felt like maybe it was going that direction. Not just today or yesterday or here in the last few days. We're moving forward with the guys who can really help us win and focusing on our program. As we go through this, I don’t want to make a final judgment on it, but you will always want the best for all people, and Jehiem is one of them.”

Alabama was defeated by Vanderbilt 40-35 in Nashville on Saturday. The Crimson Tide lists Oatis as a junior on its online roster.

Players across college football are taking advantage of the opportunity to opt out and still keep their midseason redshirts in hopes of finding a better situation in 2025. UA defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said the Tide is moving forward without Oatis.

“I think Jehiem has obviously struggled with some injuries and hasn't been able to perform or perform as well as any of us would like,” Wommack said. “But my focus is really on the players who will do everything they can to help us win football games. So that’s really my focus right now.”