The Alabama defensive lineman formerly known as Jaheim Oatis has changed his name by one letter. He now goes by Jeheim with an “e” instead of Jaheim with an “a.”
This has apparently been a thing for a little while now. However, most college football and Crimson Tide fans discovered the minor switch when the program released its official spring football roster last month. Oatis’ Instagram account also reflects the new spelling!
It is unclear as to why this change was made!
Perhaps it is to help with the pronunciation. Maybe he and everybody else have been wrong in spelling his name with an ‘a’ this whole time. Maybe he just likes ‘e’ more than ‘a’ or wanted to mix it up for fun!
Regardless of the reason, or what name Oatis chooses, he is slated to play a big role in Kalen DeBoer and Kane Wommack’s first defense in Tuscaloosa. The former four-star recruit will be a junior this fall and is poised for a breakout year.
Jaheim Oatis recorded 19 solo tackles, 36 assists and 1.5 sacks as a rotational depth piece during his first two seasons at Alabama. He is a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
#AlabamaDefense pic.twitter.com/HRDSLNCPMd
— InsideBamaRecruiting Alabama Football (@RTRnews) October 8, 2023
Jeheim Oatis will hope to build on those numbers in 2024. He one of about five or six guys who are set to compete for significant playing time on the defensive line during spring ball and over the summer.
Believe it or not, Oatis’ new name is not his most eye-popping transformation.
His listed weight of 320 pounds is pretty remarkable! Oatis arrived to campus at 416 in 2022 and immediately lost 75 pounds during his first semester after getting on a college strength, conditioning and diet plan.
Now, two years later, he is down a full 100 pounds. And he has a new name!