Alabama Transfer Kadyn Proctor Commits to Iowa; Former 5-Star OL Recruit

Former Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor announced he has committed to Iowa.

Proctor started 13 games for the Crimson Tide in 2023 and was honored as a member of the All-SEC freshman team. 247Sports ranked him as the second-best player in the transfer portal.

Alabama has seen a few notable departures in the wake of Nick Saban's retirement. Julian Sayin, a 5-star quarterback recruit, entered the portal, while All-SEC safety Caleb Downs is reportedly moving to Ohio State.

New Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer had little time to settle in the job before he came to see the daunting task of succeeding such a legendary figure.

For Proctor, this is the second time he has committed to Iowa. A native of Des Moines, he originally pledged his future to the Hawkeyes in high school before reversing course prior to signing day in December 2022.

At the time, the 6'7", 360-pound lineman told reporters Alabama was a "better opportunity" and staying close to home felt like "I was settling."

"I don't want to come into this school and everybody thinks I'm one of the best players there already," he said. "I want to grow. That's not how I grow. I've got to get hit in the mouth before I can grow. And I think getting hit in the mouth is the competition (I need)."

Beyond the emotional pull of returning home, Proctor already proved himself to some degree by starting for Alabama as a true freshman. And with so much in flux with the Tide, the Hawkeyes probably present more of a sure thing in terms of his overall comfort level.

Proctor will be in line to start right away at Iowa, and he should register an immediate impact for an O-line that tied for 84th in average sacks allowed (2.29 per game).