With regards to Kadyn Proctor, Iowa's loss appears to be Alabama's gain

The Kadyn Proctor saga had another big development on Tuesday evening — one that Alabama fans will surely appreciate.

Proctor, who started 15 games for Alabama a year ago but transferred to Iowa earlier this offseason, informed Iowa on Tuesday that he intends to re-enter the transfer portal when it opens for underclassmen on April 15. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz confirmed the news of Proctor’s pending departure shortly after news broke.

“It is unfortunate that Kadyn has informed us of his intentions to leave our program today,” Ferentz wrote in a statement. “We wish him well in the future.”

Multiple reports have indicated that Proctor is expected to return to Alabama after spring practice. Proctor seemed to confirm those reports after he shared an image of Michael Jordan on his Instagram story with the caption “I’m back” on Tuesday evening.

Kadyn Proctor has confirmed his return to Alabama via his Instagram account

“I’m back” pic.twitter.com/rOlPdlDO0e

— Ryan C. Fowler (@RyanCFowler) March 19, 2024

Proctor is an Iowa native who was heavily-recruited by the Hawkeyes out of high school. He was even committed to Iowa until he decided to flip to Alabama during the 2023 Early Signing Period. Shortly after he announced his transfer commitment to Iowa, Proctor said it was an “easy” decision because he maintained some of the relationships he built during his high school recruiting process.

Now, Proctor has spurned his hometown program for a second time by (presumably) choosing to return to Tuscaloosa before going through spring practice with the Hawkeyes.

As for Alabama, Proctor represents what is arguably the biggest recruiting win of the Kalen DeBoer era to date in Tuscaloosa. A former 5-star prospect who showed flashes of elite potential as a true freshman, he figures to slot in as a starter for Alabama once again in 2024.

This is a massive development for an Alabama team that lost several high-level players to the transfer portal following Nick Saban’s retirement back in January. Proctor was one of the players who decommitted during that period. Another 5-star prospect, receiver Ryan Williams, decommitted from Alabama following Saban’s departure but ended up signing with the Tide back in February.

Alabama’s offensive line is suddenly looking like a major strength as the Tide prepare for Year 1 of the DeBoer era. Alabama returns multiple contributor’s from last year’s O-line and also added former Washington center Parker Brailsford via the portal. Brailsford was apart of the Washington OL that won the Joe Moore Award as the country’s best OL unit in 2023.

Proctor won’t be able to participate in spring ball at Alabama, but he will be eligible to play for the Crimson Tide in 2024. The NCAA has made all multi-time transfers eligible for this coming season following a ruling by a federal judge back in December of 2023. Alabama fans will, however, get their first look at the rest of the Crimson Tide during the program’s annual spring game on April 13.

Looking ahead to the fall, Alabama is currently +1100 to win the national championship and +900 to win the SEC at Bet365. Alabama’s win total has been set at 9.5 for the 2024 season — it will be interesting to see if Proctor or any other transfer additions the Tide might make in the spring will have an impact on that total. Here’s everything fans need to know about how to sign up with one of the best sports betting apps on the market such as Bet365.