Report: Iowa self-reporting violation for impermissible contact with Alabama transfer Kadyn Proctor

Iowa is working to self-report a Level III violation regarding impermissible contact with Kadyn Proctor, The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman reported. An assistant coach allegedly sent a text to Proctor while he was at Alabama after a tough game.

After he committed to Iowa, Proctor said the Hawkeyes “hit him up” while he struggled during SEC play, which led to tampering allegations. According to Dochterman, that came via a text message from an Iowa assistant encouraging him to “hang in there” during the season.

A Level III violation is considered very minor of the three levels, with Level I as the most severe. That means the punishment likely won’t be more than “further education for the staffer and admonishment,” Dochterman said, citing precedent.

Iowa was an option for Proctor as a recruit, and the Hawkeyes finished second to Alabama during the process. He was a Five Star Plus+ prospect during the 2022 cycle and was the No. 9 overall recruit that year, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

After Nick Saban announced his retirement last month, Proctor entered the transfer portal and returned to his home state. He said his relationship with the Iowa staff was a big part of his decision, saying they maintained a connection with him even though he decided to attend Alabama.

“No bridges were burned,” Proctor said. “So, that’s why it was so easy for me to pick them when I did enter the transfer portal because we still have those relationships. Even after I was doing bad in the SEC and struggling, they hit me up and said ‘We’re proud of you, you’re going to get through this.’ That’s ultimately what helped me with my decision. They still believed in me.”

Proctor played in every game for Alabama this season, never moving off his starting job at left tackle. He will go into the offseason with an injury, suffering a torn ligament in his right ankle ahead of the College Football Playoff against Michigan. Still, he’s arriving with plenty of hype, checking in as the No. 5 overall transfer and top offensive lineman in the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings.

Iowa recently made a big hire at offensive coordinator, landing former Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester to replace Brian Ferentz. He’ll be tasked with helping the Hawkeyes bounce back from a rough year in 2023 on that side of the ball as they ranked last with just 234.6 yards of offense per game.