Story by
The Tuscaloosa News
How struggles, hatred from 2023 season fuel Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor in 2024
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- How struggles, hatred from 2023 season fuel Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor in 2024
Kadyn Proctor didn't hide it. The preparation for Alabama football vs. LSU was hard. But that preparation turned into the result the Crimson Tide offensive line wanted.
"We strained to finish, and that's what we were focusing on," Proctor said, leaving Tiger Stadium with no sacks and three tackles-for-loss allowed, leading an offense that had 312 yards rushing and six rushing touchdowns.
Advertisement
Praise has been heaped on Alabama 's offensive line in recent weeks, a unit that was recently named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award — an annual award given to the top offensive line in college football.
But Proctor remembers when praise was nowhere to be seen.
Oct 12, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) follows Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Parker Brailsford (72) and Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated South Carolina 27-25. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
During his freshman season at Alabama in 2023, Proctor allowed 12 sacks, 23 hurries and 36 pressures per Pro Football Focus. After those games, Proctor said he would "get down on myself," go home and "sulk for a little bit."
As a sophomore, in his second season as Alabama's starting left tackle after a brief transfer stint in Iowa , Proctor said his emotional and mental maturity has skyrocketed, something Alabama left guard Tyler Booker helped him through.
Advertisement
"It's kind of something that happened within myself," Proctor said. "The hatred that I got last year for all the things that I was doing made me want to not mess up ever again, and to come in here and work every day. (Booker) was one of those guys that helped me for sure along the way. Just helping on my mental like, 'Bro, you got to push through. You're going to be OK. You're going to be a really great player.'"
Through seven games in 2024, Proctor has been graded as Alabama's top blocker on the offensive line, allowing one sack, four hurries and six pressures.
Now, when Proctor allows a sack, he said, he throws it away, knowing lingering emotions will affect his play, something he teaches to the younger members of the offensive line room.
"The things that happened to me, I don't want to happen to them," Proctor said.
Advertisement
As for the love Proctor and the Alabama offensive line are getting, it's appreciated. But it's something he doesn't dwell on.
"You're going to get hate, you're going to get love," Proctor said. "It is what it is. Treat it the same. Move on with your day."
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: How struggles, hatred from 2023 fuel Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor
