The University of Alabama is set to return an offensive lineman from the transfer portal, but will he be welcomed back with open arms?
Kadyn Proctor, a former five-star tackle in the 2023 recruiting class, chose the Crimson Tide over hometown Iowa to play college football.
The 6-foot-7, 360-pounder made the Freshman All-Southeastern Conference Team, helping the program to an SEC Championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff. He had to adjust early on in his freshman season; however, Proctor improved throughout the year.
The Iowa native decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal shortly after Nick Saban announced his decision to retire from coaching the Tide in January. Proctor spoke to a reporter during an Iowa basketball game about how the Hawkeyes stayed in contact with him despite his struggles at Alabama. He started to have second thoughts about his transfer decision after hearing what Kalen DeBoer and his staff is doing to make the Crimson Tide’s offense elite.
Proctor has had conversations with several Tide players, including Tyler Booker, and he chose to re-enroll in school for the Tide in spring.
RELATED: Iowa head coach reacts to Kadyn Proctor re-entering the transfer portal
JC Latham, a former five-star in the 2021 signing class, participated Wednesday in Alabama’s Pro Day.
The first-team All-SEC selection had one message for reporters in Proctor’s return.
JC Latham speaks on OT Kadyn Proctor choosing to leave Iowa and return to Alabama:
“We are the standard. The grass is not always greener in other places.”@TDAlabamaMag pic.twitter.com/eHBKBqx4Vj
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) March 20, 2024
“We [Alabama] are the standard,” Latham said. “The grass isn’t always greener in other places. So when things happen, and you think that you might be better somewhere else, you get to find out the hard way that it’s not.”
Proctor’s return does not automatically make him the starting left tackle again.
He has to earn it against Elijah Pritchett, Naquil Betrand (transfer from Texas A&M), Miles McVay, and Wilkin Formby.
Proctor will make his return to Alabama spring practice soon.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
