Alabama LT Kadyn Proctor Emerging as a Fascinating 2026 NFL Draft Prospect
Kadyn Proctor, Alabama’s massive left tackle, is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing names in the 2026 NFL Draft class. Now entering his true junior season in Tuscaloosa, many expect it to be his final year with the Crimson Tide.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer revealed at SEC Media Days that Proctor is on track to graduate this fall. The former 5-star recruit has been following a carefully mapped three-year plan, pushing himself academically to earn his degree before making the leap to the NFL.
From a physical standpoint, Proctor checks every box. Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing in at 369 pounds, he looks every bit the part of a dominant offensive lineman. But after two seasons at Alabama, he remains a polarizing draft prospect. Some scouts view him as a potential Top-5 pick, while others are more conservative, projecting him as a late first- or early second-rounder.
ESPN Lists Proctor as a Long Shot for No. 1 Overall
ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid included Proctor among 14 college players with a chance—albeit a long shot—at becoming the No. 1 overall pick in 2026. Unsurprisingly, quarterbacks lead the pack, including South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, Penn State’s Drew Allar, and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.
In Reid’s analysis, Proctor stands out for his elite size and flashes of dominance on tape. He writes:
“Proctor has the size (6-7, 360 pounds) to go very high in the draft, and his best tape is one of a top-10 pick. But he’s a polarizing prospect because of his inconsistent play. At his best, he has the power and pop in his hands to quickly overwhelm rushers at the point of attack. He’s forceful in the run game and generates movement with ease. His pass protection is where he needs improvement, as there are hot and cold spurts in Proctor’s play. Scouts want to see him play to his potential more as a pass blocker. If he does, he could be the first blocker off the board.”
Proctor has made steady progress since his freshman year, but inconsistency continues to be a concern. He’s also working on trimming down, noting at SEC Media Days that while he’s comfortable at 369 pounds, he aims to shed 10–15 pounds before the season kicks off.
Anchoring Alabama’s Offensive Line
If Proctor can put it all together in 2025, it could have a massive impact on Alabama’s offensive front. He’s one of three returning starters—alongside center Parker Brailsford and right guard Jaeden Roberts—and will be tasked with protecting the blindside of likely new starting quarterback Ty Simpson. With a young signal-caller stepping in, Proctor’s stability and protection will be crucial.
He’s also stepping into more of a leadership role this year, something DeBoer emphasized when speaking about him at SEC Media Days. There’s optimism that Proctor is poised to take the next leap, but until that happens, the potential for Alabama to have the nation’s best offensive line remains just that—potential.
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