Kadyn Proctor, 2026 NFL No. 1 draft pick? Two publications say yes for now.

As soon as the ink was dry on the list of the 2025 NFL draftees, all sorts of publications put out 2026 mock drafts.

If he comes out for the draft next year, some believe Texas quarterback Arch Manning will go No. 1. But two national publications have tabbed Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, of Southeast Polk High School and Des Moines.

Proctor twice took Iowa’s coaches and fans on a roller coaster ride that ended with a thud.

He committed to Iowa in June 2022, then flipped to Alabama six months later. After Nick Saban retired as the Crimson Tide’s coach, Proctor transferred to Iowa in January 2024. Three months later, he transferred back to Alabama.

“A month and a half into being there, it just didn’t feel right,” Proctor told Al.com. said. “I didn’t have no close relationships with none of the guys. I couldn’t relate to none of them. I never heard the words ‘national championship’ come out of their mouths. It just wasn’t the place for me. Three months later, I left.”

Proctor was a second-team All-SEC honoree last season. Expectations are higher in 2025 for the 6-foot-7, 369-pounder. A sampling of six 2026 mock drafts bear that out.

Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Focus put Proctor at the top of their lists. If that comes to fruition, he’d be the first Iowa native to go first since Hawkeye quarterback Randy Duncan of Des Moines in 1959.

Proctor is the No. 5 pick in Athlon Sports’ mock draft. He’s No. 8 in those of The Athletic and Fox Sports, and No. 13 on CBS Sports’ list.

Iowa offensive lineman Gennings Dunker is the only Iowa player to make one of the aforementioned six mock drafts. He is 29th on Pro Football Focus’ list. Fox Sports put Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht 18th.