Kalen DeBoer provides update on Kadyn Proctor ahead of USF
Alabama was caught by surprise moments before the season-opening kick against Western Kentucky. Starting left tackle Kadyn Proctor was ruled out due to an injury, one later tabbed by Kalen DeBoer as a shoulder issue. Early in the process, Proctor was listed as week-to-week with there being no long-term concern.
So, what’s the latest on Proctor just a few days before Alabama faces USF? DeBoer provided an answer, saying progress is being made by the offensive lineman. For now, most of Proctor’s time is being spent in the training room but there should be a definite answer as we get closer to Saturday.
“He’s working toward it,” DeBoer said. “We’ll have to see right toward the end of the week. If it was up to him, he’d probably be out there. But we got to be smart and these days earlier in the week, we got to be smart and careful. He’s doing really well.
“He’s pretty much living in the training room. He’s got strong aspirations to get on the field as fast as possible. So, I can’t say one way or the other where that would be as of right now with still three days left before we play.”
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Alabama had to throw in Elijah Pritchett over to left tackle due to the Proctor injury. Pritchett spent all of fall camp at right tackle, competing for the starting spot over there. While some might struggle with the change, DeBoer believes getting left tackle reps during spring practice greatly benefitted Pritchett.
He, of course, got those because Proctor left Alabama for a few weeks and joined Iowa via the NCAA transfer portal. So if Proctor cannot play against USF, there is confidence in what Pritchett can do protecting the blind side.
“He got thrown in there,” DeBoer said. “Certainly unexpected. Practiced maybe all but the first three or four practices, early in fall camp. He was at right tackle ever since then. In 30 minutes before kickoff, realizing you were going to be the starting left tackle now.
“I’m really proud of the way he responded. It didn’t feel like he was overwhelmed in any way. He took most of his snaps this spring at left tackle next to Tyler Booker. That was very helpful. Sometimes, it’s weird how things work out. A lot of those reps were valuable for him feeling comfortable on Saturday.”