Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman/big-game, niche-play receiver Kadyn Proctor had the scariest 11-yard gain in the history of college football on Saturday night. During the second quarter, with Alabama up 17-14 against the Georgia Bulldogs, Proctor caught a screen pass from Ty Simpson that he nearly turned into a touchdown. Simpson scored on the very next play, calling his own number.
Had there been more space on the field, the six-foot-seven, 366-pound Proctor would’ve reached the pylon. Multiple UGA defenders fell at the speedy giant’s feet.
And to think the day before, CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards dissected his game and claimed he’d need to return for a fourth year to realize any pro dreams, calling him the “Most disappointing NFL Draft prospect in college football” this season.
“Having transferred home to Iowa for three months before returning to Tuscaloosa three months later, Proctor has experienced the cruel side of college football fandom. If his play does not improve as conference play intensifies, he may seriously consider returning to college for a fourth season to rehabilitate his draft stock,” Edwards wrote.
While Proctor didn’t magically fix the technical issues at his natural position with one spectacular trick play, he certainly made many realize how high the ceiling Alabama has if the talent is properly motivated and utilized correctly.
Boy, did Ryan Grubb find a way to utilize Proctor right before halftime, all for the viewing audience’s pleasure and at UGA’s expense.
Kadyn Proctor makes Iowa Hawkeyes an NIL victim
Iowa Hawkeye fans, eat your heart out. The Des Moines native wanted to raise the “Bama Standard” back up again instead of winning low-stakes trench battles in the Big Ten. Worse yet, he made money off of breaking the Hawkeyes fanbase’s heart.
Proctor committed to Nick Saban’s program, but stuck around for the Kalen DeBoer rebuild, though perhaps it’s a reload now, since Grubb is play-calling with nothing to lose and crafting creative situations for one of the most talented rosters in the country.
Alabama is several top-five recruiting classes deep and brought in several impact transfers this past offseason on both sides of the ball. This team was always supposed to look like a world-beater.
Beating up on the Bulldogs Between the Hedges is a statement.
Perhaps the DeBoer era isn’t lost after all.
But Proctor’s indecision, which always led to him suiting up in Tuscaloosa, will always be a loss in the Hawkeye state.