Former Alabama OL Kadyn Proctor transferring to Iowa: What this means for Hawkeyes

Jan 20, 2024
Proctor (6-foot-7, 360 pounds) should step in as a starter at left tackle, the position he manned every game this season as a true freshman for the Crimson Tide.
Here’s what to know about Proctor coming back to Iowa.
Backstory
At Southeast Polk High School located in the Des Moines suburbs, Proctor was the highest-rated recruit in state history. In the 2023 class, Proctor ranked No. 9 overall in the 247Sports Composite and was the nation’s top offensive tackle. Per 247Sports, Proctor was the No. 5 player overall.
A lifelong Iowa fan, Proctor wore No. 74 at Southeast Polk and Alabama for Tristan Wirfs, who started at tackle for three seasons at Iowa and now plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Proctor helped Southeast Polk win the Class 5A state championship in his junior and senior seasons.
After traveling to Iowa City more than a dozen times since eighth grade, Proctor took visits to Arkansas State (to see his former high school quarterback) and Alabama in June 2022 before announcing he would shut down his recruiting. He took an official visit to Iowa on June 24 and committed to the Hawkeyes on June 30.
In fall 2022, Proctor took an official visit to Oregon on Nov. 12 while committed to Iowa. He later took an unofficial visit to Alabama on Dec. 16. He informed Iowa’s coaches on Dec. 18 he planned to flip, made it official on Dec. 20 and signed with the Crimson Tide on Dec. 21.
Proctor enrolled at Alabama last January and earned the left tackle job during fall camp. He started all 14 games last fall and was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team by the conference coaches.
In Proctor’s first 13 games, he registered 20 knockdown blocks in 743 snaps. He earned SEC Freshman of the Week recognition for his play against Auburn. In the SEC championship game against top-ranked Georgia, Proctor was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded left tackle in any title game and recorded four knockdown blocks.
With Nick Saban retiring as Alabama coach last week, Proctor entered the transfer portal on Jan. 17 and targeted Iowa right away. According to the 247Sports Composite, Proctor was the No. 2 player available in the portal and top-ranked tackle.
What this means for Iowa
Proctor immediately stabilizes Iowa’s offensive line. The Hawkeyes return all five original starters from the 2023 season opener, but Proctor’s size and skill set are beyond any of Iowa’s incumbents. The Hawkeyes will have to reshuffle their offensive line with current three-year starting left tackle Mason Richman, who has NFL ability as a guard, is likely moving inside to guard or to right tackle.
While committed to Iowa, Proctor developed close relationships with the other recruits and was a staple at most home football games. Proctor also is tight with former high school teammate and starting safety Xavier Nwankpa, who like Proctor, was a five-star prospect. When Nwankpa committed to Iowa in 2021, Proctor was one of the last people to leave the massive ceremony at Southeast Polk’s auditorium.
Perhaps most important, the relationship between Proctor and the Iowa staff remained solid. There was a mourning period when Proctor left, but the staff remained on good terms with the tackle. As Iowa recruiting director Tyler Barnes said, “You guys have to do what’s best for you, and honestly, in this day and age in the transfer portal, who knows what’s future holds.”
Why Iowa for Proctor?
Although at first look it appears a downward move for Proctor, Iowa does have a tradition of sending offensive linemen to the NFL. Over the last 20 years, the Hawkeyes have developed six offensive linemen into first-round draft picks. The only program with more? Alabama with 10.
The Hawkeyes have 14 players on NFL rosters this weekend, tied with Georgia for the second most among college programs, according to Fox Sports. With family and close friends residing in Iowa, Proctor was interested in returning to his home area. It happens to thousands of college students, and his situation on a personal level is no different.