What to expect from Kadyn Proctor after transfer back to Alabama

Big things are expected out of Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor as he prepares to enter his second season of college football. The former five-star prospect started all 13 games at left tackle as a true freshman and only seemed to get better as the year went on.

Proctor briefly transferred to back home to Iowa this offseason following the retirement of Nick Saban but returned after spring ball. Now he will resume his starting role and there have been rave reports from coaches and teammates on the progress they’ve seen so far.

Tim Watts of Bama Online joined the Andy Staples On3 podcast where he affirmed his belief in Proctor, but said it might take a few weeks for him to get going after missing spring.

“I think he’ll get there eventually,” Watts said. “I’m curious, this guy hasn’t played since last year in the season. He missed spring. So he’s still going through some growing pains I would expect. Playing with a different body. He’s lighter than he was before. But like you said, talent is talent. There’s still three weeks ’til the season.”

Kadyn Proctor played through an injury in the Rose Bowl against Michigan, so he likely used the off-time in the spring to rehab. It’s clear he was working on his conditioning as he has reportedly lost weight and is listed at 6-foot-7, 369 pounds on the Crimson Tide’s website.

He was already good for 20 knockdown blocks in his freshman season and appears to be back bigger and stronger. Watts also believes the reps he’s gotten this spring going against a talented defensive line will help him become an even better player than he was a year ago.

“He’s getting those reps and don’t forget, he’s getting reps against a really good defensive line,” Watts said. “They’re not like a bunch of big name guys like you’ve seen at Georgia, but the minute Kane Wommack got to Alabama, Kalen DeBoer, one of the first groups they were talking about the most is the defensive line. So offensive linemen are getting tested. The left tackle, the right tackle, all of them are getting that workout they need to get.”

Proctor is one of three returning starters for the Alabama offensive line and should be looked at as a leader of the group entering this year. He’ll look to show off how much he’s improved when the Crimson Tide kick off the season on Aug. 31 against Western Kentucky.