Former Alabama football defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis left the Crimson Tide midway through the 2024 season. In an interview published on Sunday, the Mississippi native, now playing at Colorado, shared his reason for leaving Tuscaloosa.

According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Oatis said he wasn’t getting the chances for playing time he felt he deserved.

“Last year, when I was there, they were literally messing me over and weren’t giving me playing time,” Oatis said in the interview. “That was a big part of why I left. The new staff wasn’t for me. And once I found out they didn’t mess with me, I knew it was time to get up and get out of there.”

Oatis played in three games for Alabama during the 2024 season. He then opted out for the year after not playing in the Crimson Tide’s loss to Vanderbilt, preserving his redshirt.

Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kane Wommack alluded to potential injury trouble for Oatis after the opt-out.

“I think for Jehiem, obviously, he’s been battling some injuries, has not been able to perform or produce the way that any of us would like,” Wommack said in September. “But my focus is really on the players that are going to do everything they can to help us to win football games. So that’s really where my focus is right now.”

Oatis was injured and missed DeBoer’s first spring practice as Alabama’s head coach. He played sparingingly early in the year, finishing with two total tackles.

The SEC’s coaches voted Oatis freshman All-SEC in 2022. He also was a major contributor to 2023’s College Football Playoff squad.

When he opted out, DeBoer seemingly had no hard feelings.

“Kind of felt like it was maybe going that direction,” he said the week of Oatis’ decision. “Not just today, or yesterday, or here in the last few days. We move forward with the guys that really are able to help us win and focused on our program. As we go through this, I don’t want to put finality to it, but you’re always going to want what’s best for all people, and Jehiem’s one of them.”

Colorado lists Oatis as a junior for the 2025 season. He’ll have two years to play two seasons in Boulder for head coach Deion Sanders after the redshirt from 2024.