IOWA CITY, Iowa — The idea of Iowa native Kadyn Proctor playing football for the University of Iowa was stronger than the reality.

The five-star offensive tackle, who joined the Hawkeyes after one season at Alabama, is expected to leave the Iowa program, multiple sources familiar with Proctor’s intentions told The Athletic. Iowa opens spring football practice on Wednesday. Proctor, who went on spring break last week with several former Alabama teammates, is likely to return to Tuscaloosa, those same sources said.

As a non-graduate, Proctor cannot enter the transfer portal until April 15, which gives him time to perhaps change his mind. He is still listed on Iowa’s official 2024 roster. He is eligible to play at either Alabama or Iowa this fall.

Proctor (6-feet-7, 360 pounds) was raised in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, a southeast suburb of Des Moines. He grew up an Iowa fan and idolized Tristan Wirfs, who was an All-American tackle at Iowa. Proctor even wore No. 74 like Wirfs and won consecutive state championships at Southeast Polk High School.

In 2022, Proctor was committed to Iowa from June 30 through Dec. 19, one day before signing day. Proctor then flipped to Alabama, where he started 14 games as a true freshman left tackle in 2023. After Alabama coach Nick Saban retired in January, Proctor entered the transfer portal.

GO DEEPER

When Kadyn Proctor decided to leave Alabama, he knew exactly where he wanted to go

Within a few days, Proctor identified Iowa as his most desired destination. Through a social media campaign, the Iowa Swarm Collective quickly raised more than $100,000 in two days — independent of Proctor’s intentions. Proctor attended a men’s basketball game in Iowa City later that week and was enrolled in classes quickly afterward.

“It’s home. I love home,” Proctor said at the Iowa men’s basketball game. “This is ultimately where I wanted to be. It’s the first place I thought of when I entered the transfer portal. So I had my mind made up when I entered the transfer portal.”

Iowa’s staff maintained a solid relationship with Proctor despite leaving for Alabama. When Proctor struggled early at Alabama, recruiting director Tyler Barnes texted the tackle to “hang in there, buddy.” Proctor referenced the text when talking to reporters, which caused Iowa to self-report a Level III violation.

What does this mean?

Should Proctor return to Alabama, it’s a major loss on the field for the Hawkeyes and a significant gain for the Tide. Proctor was set to play left tackle at Iowa and anchor a veteran offensive line. He started every game for Alabama there last year.

It’s a second major gut punch for the Hawkeyes with regard to Proctor and this one was perhaps worse than the first. Not just that Proctor won’t play at Iowa, but that he was on campus and chose to leave before spring football started.

In the big picture, this situation could jumpstart discussions at the national level about collective bargaining and contractual obligations. Proctor received payment through The Swarm Collective and promoted one car dealership on social media but had yet to practice with the team.

(Photo: AP / Vasha Hunt)