IOWA CITY, Iowa — The idea of Iowa native Kadyn Proctor playing football for the University of Iowa was stronger than the reality.
The five-star offensive tackle, who joined the Hawkeyes after one season at Alabama, told Iowa he will leave the program, coach Kirk Ferentz said in a statment Tuesday. Iowa opens spring football practice on Wednesday. Proctor, who went on spring break last week with several former Alabama teammates, will return to Tuscaloosa, he told On3.
“It is unfortunate that Kadyn has informed us of his intentions to leave our program today,” Ferentz said. “We wish him well in the future.”
As a non-graduate, Proctor cannot enter the transfer portal until April 15, which gives him time to perhaps change his mind. He is still listed on Iowa’s official 2024 roster. He is eligible to play at either Alabama or Iowa this fall.
Proctor (6-feet-7, 360 pounds) was raised in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, a southeast suburb of Des Moines. He grew up an Iowa fan and idolized Tristan Wirfs, who was an All-American tackle at Iowa. Proctor even wore No. 74 like Wirfs and won consecutive state championships at Southeast Polk High School.
In 2022, Proctor was committed to Iowa from June 30 through Dec. 19, one day before signing day. Proctor then flipped to Alabama, where he started 14 games as a true freshman left tackle in 2023. After Alabama coach Nick Saban retired in January, Proctor entered the transfer portal.
GO DEEPER
When Kadyn Proctor decided to leave Alabama, he knew exactly where he wanted to go
Within a few days, Proctor identified Iowa as his most desired destination. Through a social media campaign, the Iowa Swarm Collective quickly raised more than $100,000 in two days — independent of Proctor’s intentions. Proctor attended a men’s basketball game in Iowa City later that week and was enrolled in classes quickly afterward.
“It’s home. I love home,” Proctor said at the Iowa men’s basketball game. “This is ultimately where I wanted to be. It’s the first place I thought of when I entered the transfer portal. So I had my mind made up when I entered the transfer portal.”
Iowa’s staff maintained a solid relationship with Proctor despite leaving for Alabama. When Proctor struggled early at Alabama, recruiting director Tyler Barnes texted the tackle to “hang in there, buddy.” Proctor referenced the text when talking to reporters, which caused Iowa to self-report a Level III violation.
What does this mean for Iowa?
Proctor’s likely return to Alabama is a major loss on the field for the Hawkeyes and a significant gain for the Tide. Proctor was set to play left tackle at Iowa and anchor a veteran offensive line. He started every game for Alabama there last year.
It’s a second major gut punch for the Hawkeyes concerning Proctor and this one was perhaps worse than the first. Not just that Proctor won’t play at Iowa, but that he was on campus and chose to leave before spring football started.
In the big picture, this situation could jumpstart discussions at the national level about collective bargaining and contractual obligations. Proctor received payment through The Swarm Collective and promoted one car dealership on social media but had yet to practice with the team. — Scott Dochterman, Iowa staff writer
How Proctor fits at Alabama
Proctor endured a good amount of first-year struggles as Alabama’s starting left tackle in 2023, but was trending upwards by season’s end and was expected to take a second-year leap in 2024.
His expected return to Alabama stabilizes arguably the biggest question mark on the team: offensive tackle, where Alabama currently doesn’t have a player who has started a college game. Proctor’s re-commitment would add a plug-and-play starter along with redshirt sophomore Elijah Pritchett as starters, while the younger pieces can continue developing as depth pieces without pressure to play right away. Proctor’s experience from a season ago: 14 starts and 792 snaps is a welcome addition back to an offensive line that has an experienced interior group of Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts at guard and Parker Brailsford/James Brockermeyer at center.
Though Proctor is familiar with Alabama, he’ll need to adjust to a new system under Kalen DeBoer and position coach Chris Kapilovic. There’s going to be a bigger commitment from offensive linemen to pull block and block in space, meaning Proctor, who played above 350 pounds last season, may have to shed a little weight in addition to learning the system. There will be plenty of time if that’s needed, as Proctor wouldn’t be required to play any snaps until fall camp. — Kennington Smith III, Alabama staff writer
Required reading
(Photo: AP / Vasha Hunt)
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