Interview: 2022 Mississippi 4-Star DL Jaheim Oatis is a Rare and Unique Talent
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
No pressure on the young man, I think he can handle it – Class of 2022 defensive lineman Jaheim Oatis has the look of a generational kind of talent. However one wants to word or phrase the abilities for a truly rare and gifted player, that sums up what Oatis is now and all the potential he has for greatness in the coming years on the gridiron. Tipping the scales and stretching the tape at 6-6, 350-pounds, Oatis is a one-man gang in the defensive trenches for Mississippi’s Columbia High School. Colliding against 3A teams, the opposition wisely double- and triple-teams Oatis while also running away from him, which is easier said than done. His size may suggest a slow-moving statue, but he is anything but moving quick for any lineman, shakes defenders with raw power, and finishes a play like a bear finding dinner. The unique skills, size, and character for Oatis has brought four-star recruiting status and a scholarship offer list nearing 20.
In a first-take, Oatis goes inside the RNG Lab for a long Q&A talking about the skills on the field and the roughly 13 unannounced scholarship offers handed to him.
Interview
Jaheim, last season you didn’t take the field looking like a sophomore but more like a grizzled varsity veteran. When did you get your first taste of varsity football and when did you earn your first start?
I got my first taste of varsity during my eighth-grade year, but it did not go as well as planned. I tore my meniscus during my eighth-grade year and during my ninth-grade year I started then.
If teams were trying to go one-on-one with blocking or double-team you, seemingly nothing was stopping you from blowing up a play and getting in the backfield. Because you are so dominating and powerful this might be hard to answer, but was there a challenge on the field you faced last season? If so, how did you overcome that challenge making you a better player?
My coaches taught me how to use my hands better. My last game, they triple-teamed me the whole time and they were running away from me. I really didn’t get any one-on-ones in any game last season.
When the 2019 season ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your game on defense?
I feel like I could have done better after looking at my film, I wasn’t proud of my play. Last season I was not getting off the ball like I was supposed to. I played well, made some great plays, and I was a top three tackler on the team.
Since the season ended, what have you been working on with your skill and technique?
With COVID, we could not do a lot. With my head coach and my cousin, I worked on my get-off, first step, and first five steps. I also worked on my hands, hips, and running. I worked on my footwork, staying low, my six-point explosion, staying low and coming off harder.
Your strength is a big part of what makes you such a weapon for the Wildcats, what kind of workouts have you been doing to increase that part of your game for the 2020 season?
My coach has me working out with 225 doing four sets of eight, or 6-6-4, or five sets of five on bench. I am also doing pull-ups, push-ups, and power press to get my arms stronger.
Where all will we see you on the field during the 2020 season?
You will see me at nose guard, end, and tackle. On offense, sometimes I will be at end and tackle. On special teams, on kickoff I am the one kicking.
Wait, what? You are handling kickoff duties for your team?
Yes, sir.
How far are you kicking the ball on kickoffs?
I have my days, but I’m getting it down to the four-yard line.
Impressive. I cannot wait to see that. Rolling over to offense, what have you been working on with your skills as a tight end and offensive tackle?
Right now, I am working on getting back into it, I did not play offense last season. They want me to block on a power or pinch play to open up a hole.
How has playing both ways helped you improve your overall understanding of the game as a defensive tackle?
Playing both sides is helping with my conditioning. It is getting me in shape and getting me used to playing again. I will do anything to help my team win, that is what is most important to me. Playing both sides helps me understand the game a lot more.
Let’s cover ground on recruiting. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State
How many offers do you have in-hand?
I think I have 18 to 20 offers.
Are there some offers you have not announced?
Yes, I have not announced all of them.
Which programs are some of the ones you’ve received offers from but have not announced to the public?
Alabama, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida State, Florida, Indiana, Southern Miss, LSU, Clemson, and Texas A&M.
This spring and summer college programs are taking recruits on virtual visits, have you taken any of those yet?
Yes, sir. Coach O (Ed Orgeron – LSU) does Facetime with me every week, Tennessee and Alabama call, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State all call to check on me as well.
Do you have any visits you’d like to take or any tentatively planned once the campuses open back up?
We plan on going to LSU, Alabama, Mississippi State, Georgia, and Tennessee – the rest want to see me too.
When you speak with college coaches, what are they telling you they like about your talents?
They keep saying I am blessed with size that no kid has and that God gave me the body to go on in life. I am also told that they’ve never seen a kid this big do all this and run like this. They tell me how great I am and that they’ve never seen a 6-foot 6-inch defensive lineman kickoff before.
I am right there with them. Going back to football. The team made that impressive run posting a 13-1 season a year ago making it to the semifinal round. How has the success helped motivate the team in offseason preparations?
It has helped a lot. For us, we want to be better than last year; that is our goal. Our goal is to be uncommon and get better every day.
The schedule on MaxPreps has you guys starting on Sept. 11 on the road against North Pike, is that the start time for the 2020 season for the Wildcats?
No. We start on Sept. 4th against Mendenhall.
The schedule has five games listed, how many games are you guys scheduled to play this season?
I think we are playing nine games.
What goals have you set for yourself for the upcoming season?
My goals are to lead my team to a state championship, be the best I can be, and be a better man and leader for my team. My goal is to lead the state in tackles and sacks.
Jaheim, it was great learning more about your impressive talents and skills on the field today. Wishing you and the Wildcats a fantastic season until we talk again.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Oatis family; Jaheim Oatis with Ed Orgeron at LSU (2019)