How does Kadyn Proctor’s return impact the offensive line?

With sophomore Kadyn Proctor officially rejoining the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Tide offensive line gets a massive boost heading into 2024.

Alabama was almost certainly going to have to comb the transfer portal for a starting-caliber offensive tackle, something that wasn’t going to be easy to do. Proctor made it much simpler by returning to Tuscaloosa after barely spending a semester at Iowa. 

Proctor figures to retake his starting position at left tackle, but will first have to outcompete redshirt sophomore Elijah Pritchett and redshirt freshman Wilkin Formby. One of these two will likely end up at right tackle, assuming Alabama doesn’t dip into the portal for another tackle.

It will be interesting to see how smoothly Proctor is able to transition back to Bama under a new coaching staff. The former 5-star recruit has first-round NFL potential, and started to figure things out late last season after enduring some struggles. 

His indecision ultimately caused him to miss spring practice, which will hopefully just be a minor inconvenience. Ironically, given his transfer portal exploits in combination with the coaching changes, Proctor could enter the fall as a returning starter who is behind the curve in terms of learning the playbook.

Assuming he can acclimate to the offense and gel with some new pieces, however, Proctor should continue to develop into one of the nation’s top tackles.

Alabama already returns what figures to be an elite interior line, with Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts at guard and James Brockermeyer and Parker Brailsford lobbying for the center spot. With Proctor back in the fold, it could be just one piece away from having one of its best lines in recent memory. 

Kadyn Proctor and Elijah Pritchett both took their lumps last year. Will the lessons learned turn them into the elite tackle tandem this offense needs?