Alabama signee Kadyn Proctor felt like he was ‘settling’ after initially committing to Iowa

PLEASANT HILL — One day after flipping his commitment from Iowa to Alabama, five-star offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor believes the Crimson Tide offered the “better opportunity” for him.

“When I was committed (to Iowa), I felt like I was settling,” Proctor said Wednesday. “I was just comfortable for what I had known, with all the people and all the coaches there, and I really didn't make my decision correctly.”

Proctor, who would have been the highest-rated recruit to choose Iowa since 247Sports began ranking prospects, said he reached out to the Iowa football staff “about a week ago” to back out of his commitment.

Proctor pointed to the better competition at Alabama as the clinching factor for the flip to the SEC juggernaut.

“I don’t want to come into the school and everybody thinks that I’m one of the best players there already,” Proctor said. “I want to grow. That’s not how I grow. I got to get hit in the mouth before I can grow.”

Even after he committed to Iowa, Proctor said the Alabama staff kept “checking in on me and my family.”

Proctor declined to disclose any specifics about what Alabama offered him financially via name, image and likeness, saying the commitment was “not about the money.”

“If people knew about the money situation, they wouldn't be talking about it,” Proctor said. “I want to go play football at a prestigious school. A lot of competition down there and ultimately going to make me better.”

Gazette correspondent Rob Gray contributed to this report.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com