Kadyn Proctor returned home to Iowa after a year at Alabama. The former five-star prospect was the highest-rated lineman in the 2023 college football recruiting class, starting every game for the Crimson Tide last season.
He played an important role in the College Football Playoff run.
However, after Nick Saban resigned, Proctor decided to join the transfer portal and eventually landed with the Hawkeyes, who heavily recruited him out of high school. Overnight, the fanbase contributed more than $100,000 for its NIL collective, ensuring that it could afford him. Their efforts were successful.
Proctor had a good first year at the collegiate level, earning Freshman All-American honours, but he struggled early in the season. There was even debate about whether he deserved to be in the lineup or if Saban should move him to the bench.
Around that time, a coach from Iowa texted him.
During his first interview in Iowa City, Proctor accidentally exposed his new coaching staff’s illegal mid-season contact. Coaches are strictly prohibited from contacting a player at another program in the midst of the year.
As a result of Proctor’s error, the Hawkeyes are self-reporting a Level III violation for an illegal contract. It is very modest in nature. It will most likely result in further staff training, but little more. Not a huge deal.
However, there is a risk that the NCAA, which appears to pick and choose its battles without any clear justification, may view the link between the text to Proctor and his final transfer as tampering. Especially when the NIL component is present on the back end.
Iowa, being less well-known than Florida State, Tennessee, or Miami, will most likely be overlooked. However, there is no way to know what the NCAA will do or why.
Proctor uttered the silent section aloud, causing the Hawkeyes to admit their mistakes. Hopefully, for the purpose of maintaining any kind of uniformity in the sport, it will not escalate further!
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