Last season saw a big flip for Colorado: their defense became their strongest point. After a rough 4-8 record in 2023 with a shaky defense, Deion Sanders‘ defensive coordinator, Rob Livingston, transformed that weakness into their key to success. The Buffs even topped the Big 12 with 33 sacks. Heading into this season, Coach Prime’s goal is still all about winning big, aiming straight for a national championship. And it looks like they’re building on that defensive strength, with their massive 325-pound defensive player becoming the talk of Boulder. Livingston’s really counting on him too. Seems like Prime Time found a game-changer.

Colorado’s 4-star transfer recruit, Jahiem Oatis, a 6’5, 325-lb standout from Columbia, is generating significant buzz this offseason. And it’s easy to see why: his long arms, big frame, and barrel chest have made him a highly discussed prospect. This is precisely what has caught the attention of Rob Livingstone, who shared his assessment with Thee Pregame Network, stating, “I mean, up front, obviously Jahiem Oatis is about as big as that door—one of the world’s largest men—so I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

A key factor in Oatis’s move from Alabama is the potential for more playing time in Boulder. The junior defensive tackle informed ESPN that he would redshirt the following season and then enter the transfer portal. Despite starting 13 games in his first two years, Oatis’s playing time decreased this past fall. He played only 25 snaps against Georgia and Wisconsin, averaging just 16 snaps across four games. “Getting the reps and looks that I’m getting,” Oatis told ESPN, “I feel like it’s better for me to move on somewhere new.”

However, Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack noted that lingering effects impacted his performance, explaining, “Not been able to perform or produce the way that any of us would like.” Oatis missed the Vanderbilt game due to a minor knee injury, despite being listed on the participation report, a fact he confirmed to ESPN. Although dealing with offseason injuries, Oatis was healthy this fall.

Livingston further commented, “Being a linebacker, walking into a new city, new defense, new checks, I think it’s hard to really be yourself until you kind of go through a spring. It’s one thing to be somewhere for three years or two years. it’s another thing to kind of have skins on the wall.” He concluded, “Now it’s our job as coaches to put those guys in position to be successful.” And placing Oatis in a successful position wouldn’t be a challenge for the Buffs’ DC.

Oatis’s statistics from Tuscaloosa show strong production: 57 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 5 deflected passes—impressive numbers for an interior lineman. In his freshman year of 2022, he was a starter in 10 games, averaging over 24 snaps per game. Last season, his playing time averaged 22 snaps per game across his three starting appearances. This year’s drop in performance has led him to pursue more consistent plays and a clearer path towards an NFL career. With two years of eligibility left, Jahiem is making the most of it with Colorado.

Right now, Deion Sanders is seeing his team’s story unfold in two ways: his defense is grabbing all the headlines, while everyone’s still waiting to see what his future quarterback can really do on offense.

Deion Sanders’ future QB faces tough career verdict

Julian Lewis already has star power—on and off the field. Colorado’s five-star freshman QB exudes cool confidence, showcasing his NIL deals and brimming with potential. He’s poised and self-assured, commanding attention. Comparisons to Shedeur Sanders are unavoidable; both are high-profile quarterbacks with strong arms, media appeal, and a modern aura—part franchise player, part cultural icon. However, having witnessed Sanders’ tumultuous NFL Draft experience firsthand, Lewis learned valuable lessons.

Unlike Shedeur, JuJu benefits from hindsight. As Rivals’ national recruiting director Adam Gorney predicted, this quarterback prodigy is forging his own path, learning from Sanders’ mistakes. He watched his ranking tumble from a top-five prospect to a fifth-round pick, thanks to all the noise around Deion Sanders’ big talk and what people saw as arrogance in his pre-draft interviews. Lewis understands the importance of image, and he’s more than just a talented, swaggering kid—he’s strategic.

The plan for him is straightforward yet crucial: “Don’t have your father predict you as a top-five pick. Don’t have your dad say publicly there are some cities that are no-gos. Don’t treat the pre-draft process like a recruiting trip (where the coaches have to bow down to you) and instead treat it more like a job interview. Be prepared for getting on the whiteboard and answering questions.” Well, Gorney’s checklist is extremely blunt and factual, detailing everything Lewis has observed personally. He has all the tools to be a top draft pick, but still, you need to earn that position.

And for now, that looks far from happening. But why? In Colorado’s Black and Gold spring game, the team struggled big time in their passing game. The quarterbacks struggled in the scrimmage. True freshman Julian “JuJu” Lewis debuted, showing some nerves. He relied too much on short passes, missed a few throws high, and never found a rhythm. Kaidon Salter faltered in the option offense, particularly on exchanges with running back Christian Sarem.

Although Salter threw the best passes of the day, he lacked consistency. Neither quarterback outperformed the other, leaving the starting job open for a summer competition. The battle is a deadlock; both quarterbacks remain enigmatic, their full potential unrealized. JuJu now needs to refine both his game and his demeanor.

The storm Shedeur weathered might be Julian’s best gift. Dropping from the first to the fifth round isn’t just a warning; it shows exactly what not to do when you’re talented but your brand obscures it. Lewis has learned what NFL teams actually look for. It’s more than just highlight reels and social media; true success comes from humility during interviews, attentiveness in meetings, and commanding respect off-camera. Let’s wait and see if he gets the balance of both.