Iowa native Kadyn Proctor is Public Enemy #1 in his own home state, and he has absolutely no one to blame for that but himself.
Initially committed to the Hawkeyes, the 5-star can’t-miss Proctor was expected to be the next great Iowa offensive lineman.
However, he suddenly backed-out on Iowa and instead flipped his commitment to the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Iowa’s Kadyn Proctor era in 60 seconds pic.twitter.com/mI4RDhgifH
— IowaEverywhere (@IowaEverywhere) March 20, 2024
As disappointing as the news was, Hawkeyes fans largely understood his decision and wished him the best as he headed down south to play for Nick Saban and the Tide.
Unsurprisingly, Proctor was a freshman All-American and had an exceptional first season in Tuscaloosa where he started every single game at left tackle.
He was living up to the hype and fans back in his home state were proud of him.
Then Saban retired which made Proctor decide to enter the transfer portal. Iowa fans were so thrilled at this development and saw it as a golden opportunity to lure him back home.
With a focus on securing Proctor’s commitment (again), the Iowa “Swarm Collective” immediately raised more than $100,000 in a single day as numerous Hawkeyes fans pitched in to help the program. (Again, with a heavy focus on Proctor.)
We have crossed the $100,000 mark in one day!! Thank you Hawk fans! It is clear that people are starting to understand that the Swarm is vital to the success of Iowa athletics. I’m hopeful that we can carry this momentum into the next few days and march towards $1 million!
— Bradley Heinrichs (@HeinrichsBrad) January 18, 2024
Sure enough, the fundraising efforts worked, and Proctor transferred back to Iowa.
“No bridges were burned. That’s why it was so easy for me to pick them when I did enter the transfer portal, because we still have those relationships,” Proctor said at the time.
Wooooo!!! Welcome home KP!!! Go Hawks!
— Kerrie K (@kerriea70) January 21, 2024
Ironically, Iowa had to self-report a Levell III NCAA violation for contacting Proctor during the season while he was playing for the Tide.
Their contact had nothing to do with trying to recruit him back to the program, but rather to offer him words of encouragement during his early-season struggles.
“We still have those relationships. Even after I was doing bad in the SEC and struggling, they hit me up and said we’re proud of you and you’re going to get through this. That’s what ultimately helped me in my decision,” Proctor said.
It was surely an innocent comment made at the time by Proctor who was trying to be complimentary of the supportive Iowa program. But ironically it was those comments that did the damage.
Me running faster to unhide all of the replies under that Tweet of Kadyn Proctor saying Iowa reached out to him last season, while being fully aware that his fall brings down Iowa as well pic.twitter.com/zbIz6e6DEs
— MW Nado Chaser (@midwest_chaser) March 20, 2024
Regardless, it was no big deal in the grand scheme of things as Kirk Ferentz and the coaching staff began preparing for the 2024 season, knowing that they had their new offensive line anchor back in the program.
However, this is where things went sideways.
Shortly after being paid for an NIL deal, Proctor abruptly LEFT the program and decided to RE-ENTER the transfer portal. (How is that even allowed???)
Iowa fans couldn’t believe the news…
Iowa fans losing Kadyn Proctor for the 2nd time. pic.twitter.com/hxZOQVKWQG
— Blessed_Daily (@BlueBloodOU) March 19, 2024
Shockingly, Proctor decided to transfer back to Alabama (who “ironically” has one of the largest NIL collectives in the country).
Proctor leaving the facility: pic.twitter.com/vcDytcVx65
— Crim205 (@JordanNetwork) March 19, 2024
Clearly, Iowa fans, especially those who donated their hard-earned money to the Swarm Collective and other fundraising efforts felt completely used and abused…
“So athletes can go get paid by an NIL org and then dip before ever hitting the field … How the f*ck is that ok?”
It’s not ok, it’s messed up. Money has ruined college sports.
— Kelly M (@Kellyoregon) March 19, 2024
“Kadyn Proctor after fucking robbing Iowa’s NIL collective…”
Kadyn Proctor after fucking robbing Iowa’s NIL collective: pic.twitter.com/IZ5hZNirqy
— Leave ‘Em Cold (@LeaveEmCold) March 19, 2024
“I have never wanted to believe in Karma more than I do at this very minute.”
I have never wanted to believe in Karma more than I do at this very minute.
— JorgePorge (@kmm3710) March 19, 2024
“Kadyn Proctor did Iowa so dirty.”
— Sammy Paradise (@coolinpastlife) March 20, 2024
“Kadyn Proctor after stealing that Iowa money and leaving…”
Kadyn Proctor after stealing that Iowa money and leaving pic.twitter.com/8mG5DXF9Yt
— Tom Manning (@CYSTimeout) March 19, 2024
“College Football is absolutely broken.”
College Football is absolutely broken
— Bully54 🇺🇸 (@Bully5454) March 20, 2024
“Kadyn Proctor is an absolute jackass. George Barnett sucks. Sarah Perkins is still an obese woman who can’t raise her son the right way. All of these are true.”
I have a theory that his mom concocted the whole thing… No coincidence of timing of leaving day before spring practice. F them
— GPinTN (@GPinTN1) March 20, 2024
“Kadyn Proctor is yet more proof that college football sports bros are no better than crackheads. You don’t know him and he obviously couldn’t care less if you exist or not, but he controls your emotions and dominates your time. Sad. Tragic even. But go team!”
Kadyn Proctor is yet more proof that college football sports bros are no better than crackheads. You don’t know him and he obviously couldn’t care less if you exist or not, but he controls your emotions and dominates your time. Sad. Tragic even. But go team!
— Todd Erzen (@DeaceOnline) March 20, 2024
“This whole Kadyn Proctor thing is crazy. Under no circumstance (other than coach resigning or getting fired) should u be allowed to transfer twice in 90 days.”
This whole Kadyn Proctor thing is crazy. Under no circumstance (other than coach resigning or getting fired) should u be allowed to transfer twice in 90 days.
— Rivaldo Fearweather (@Rivaldosburner) March 20, 2024
“Kadyn Proctor leaving Iowa with his NIL bag.”
Kadyn Proctor leaving Iowa with his NIL bag pic.twitter.com/ptzfBF15xG
— Transfer Portal (@NCAAPortal) March 20, 2024
“This is the third time he has chosen to break a commitment to a college program. There may be context missing here, but it says a lot about his character.”
This is the third time he has chosen to break a commitment to a college program. There may be context missing here, but it says alot about his character
— Chandler Smith (@ChantheMan95) March 20, 2024
“OL Kadyn Proctor announced he was transferring home to Iowa from Bama. Two months later, Proctor tells Iowa he’s re-entering transfer portal & appears headed back to Bama after accepting large payment from Iowa’s NIL collective & promoted local car dealership online. Ouch!”
Aaand… welcome to the wild, wild west. On the surface, looks like Proctor got a payday. However, at what point will we have multiple athletes do this… then end up in litigation when these businesses try to recoup a diminished value investment?
— Jay Hart-WINA (@JayHart_WINA) March 20, 2024
— Paul Nelson (@Paulie6969) March 20, 2024
While it’s unconfirmed at this time, there are reports that the money Proctor earned took from Iowa’s NIL efforts is his to keep, despite him not ever playing a single snap for the Hawkeyes.
“Nope. Until there is collective bargaining with contracts, this can happen anywhere,” Scott Dochterman of The Athletic said when asked if Iowa will get their money back.
“So these kids can transfer, get a bag, and leave for another bag without practicing. College sports are a joke. Stick to the NFL folks. I hope he feels good taking Iowans money for jack shit,” an X user tweeted in response to the situation.
So these kids can transfer, get a bag, and leave for another bag without practicing. College sports are a joke. Stick to the nfl folks. I hope he feels good taking Iowans money for jack shit
— Mike Honcho (@HonchoCommaMike) March 19, 2024
In case there is still anyone wondering why Nick Saban abruptly retired, stories like this make it crystal clear to say the least.
Coming from a Bama fan, wouldn’t want him back. Once a sell out…
— Justin (@Justin737274119) March 20, 2024
While this whole situation looks horrific for Proctor, it should be noted that there’s a possibility that the whole thing is just a coincidence and all of the actions he took were genuine.
Having said that, you can’t blame Iowa fans for being absolutely furious. Especially if he refuses to give back the NIL money that he took.
It's horrible. That money is donated by local people and businesses to support the program. The fact someone could take it and walk away w/out doing anything is very bad.
This era of NIL is not long for the world. In most cases it's not even NIL—it's just money-bag deliveries.
— Mark Schipper – 5th Down CFB (@5thDownCFB) March 20, 2024
There are reports that Proctor has only been paid through Swarm INC and not The Swarm Collective. However, many Iowa fans find that hard to believe.
yeah not buying this….do they have to open their records to prove it? Because it massively benefits them to say no, so people continue to give
— Pk (@Naturesownpk) March 20, 2024
Yeah.. like where does the corporate folks get their $ from? From the people who use their goods and services. It's all the same pot of $ to me. Same community is contributing to it.
— GPinTN (@GPinTN1) March 20, 2024
It goes without saying that the whole Wild Wild West world of NIL and the transfer portal is an absolute nightmare.
Of course, players should be able to be compensated in good faith for their hard work and all of the money they help bring to their universities.
But there are clearly several players who are looking to use and abuse the system. And the reality is, it’s the NCAA and the “system” itself which is most to blame.
Everyone knows that major, major, major guardrails need to be put into place before the train completely goes off the track.
As usual, the NCAA is 10-steps behind the game.
Even as a diehard Alabama fan this transfer portal stuff is BS. How can dudes commit to other places then turn around like two months later and come back💀
That’s not right, and Kadyn Proctor should give back the money that Iowa gave to him.
— Conner Smith (@connersmith04) March 20, 2024
What are your thoughts on the Proctor situation?
Do you think he played Iowa for a fool? … Or do you think the critics of his actions are being too harsh on him?
What exactly needs to be done to fix the NIL and transfer portal disasters in college football???
False. Rodgers took a snap
— Tiny Hippo (@tinyhippo2) March 19, 2024