Kadyn Proctor explains commitment flip from Iowa to Alabama: 'I felt like I was settling'
- Thread starter cigaretteman
- Start date
No doubt that Iowa has a good track record, but you make it sound like he went to Nebraska. I'm pretty sure that there are quite a few successful Bama olinemen in the NFL. They've had an Olineman selected in the first round of the last 4 drafts. I'm not sure how many schools can say that but it's gotta be a pretty short list.
people let this go. Maybe there are a couple million reasons Proctor felt he couldn’t live up to wearing the Hawkeye colors and measure up to numbers like 78 and 74.
Fair and interesting questions ... so it got me to do some digging.
Prior to even doing so ... my initial response was that there is inherently an apples to oranges difference in comparing Alabama's OL development to Iowa's ... because the raw tools possessed by Iowa's guys on the OL aren't starting in the same ball-park (necessarily). Don't get me wrong ... Iowa gets great athletes ... but guys who don't necessarily have the longest wing-spans, the largest hands, the most "elite" athleticism, etc ... but Iowa guys usually do possess great athleticism, great competitiveness, and they develop almost unparalleled fundamentals and football IQ. When I did a quick look of Alabama's guys in the NFL (using the ourlads site) and then cross-referenced it to recruiting ratings ... I saw 11 guys listed for Alabama. 3 of 'bama's current NFL O-linemen were 3-star recruits, 4 were 4-star recruits, and 4 were 5-star recruits.
However, apart from my initial knee-jerk reaction ... I pushed that aside and then checked earnings the current NFL linemen from each team.
The 11 current guys on the OL that I saw for 'Bama in the NFL were: Bozeman, Brown, Leatherwood, Williams, Wills, Pierschbacher, Kelly, Cotton, Neal, Dickerson, and Hassenauer.
For Iowa, I saw 9 guys currently listed as being in the NFL: Linderbaum, Boettger, Reiff, Nelson, Scherff, Jackson, Ferentz, Daniels, and Wirfs
When comparing earnings ....
Combining the 11 guys for Alabama and tallying the average ... 'Bama guys were averaging $11.4 career-earnings (to-date) per guy. Without question, that is excellent. Furthermore, in defense of Proctor's decision, some of 'Bama's more recent OT-types were garnering some truly impressing signing bonuses (definitely attractive money - no question).
When you do the same thing for Iowa's guys ... Iowa guys were averaging $23.0 career-earnings (to-date) per guy.
A few things that stuck out is that Alabama's top-earner ... Kelly was the only guy who had a somewhat longer career in the NFL. Furthermore, when I did extra searching - only Bozeman and Kelly received extra accolades by sports-writers (from more reputable sports-outlets). Both of these noted Crimson Tide players are centers in the NFL.
In contrast, the top guys that Iowa puts to the NFL have been getting recognized in many of the "best of" lists for their respective positions. Specifically, Wirfs obviously has garnered rave reviews at OT. At OG, both Scherff and Daniels have been listed as highly regarded players (elite at their positions). Even as a rookie, Linderbaum has already been making mention on these lists for his play at C.
While guys like Leatherwood, Williams, Neal, and Wills may ultimately garner more recognition as they gain more experience ... and ultimately end up being higher earners ... that also has yet to be seen.
By performing some of the digging you mentioned ... I must concede that Alabama will certainly not leave Proctor a pauper should he succeed there. However, on the flip side, Iowa's success at producing players who are the very best at what they do ... Alabama's track record absolutely pales in comparison. Furthermore, Iowa has a better track record of producing more long-term big earners. Iowa's accomplishments are made more impressive considering that the great majority of Iowa's O-linemen were 3-star guys.
Sure ... 'Bama ain't no 'Braska.
However, the point of my post was focussed more upon the fact that Iowa's track record points to it being a destination school for offensive linemen. Hence, it's FAR FROM a place that you settle upon.
In Proctor's defense ... young people are dumb ... and say dumb shit (hell, plenty of folks on this board are the same way). However, when you broadcast it on social media - with the anticipation of having a large following ... backlash is gonna happen. It's as regular as the tides.
*Proctor got more money in the short term & Has just as good if not better chance for terrific long term earnings.
*Will likely play in playoff games with serious potential to win a Natty.
Makes perfect sense for a 5-star recruit. It’s having your cake and eating it too. Good for him.
*Will likely play in playoff games with serious potential to win a Natty.
Makes perfect sense for a 5-star recruit. It’s having your cake and eating it too. Good for him.
Yep, Uncle Sam takes from everything. They tax social security, your pension, interest, income, etc. He'll pay.
No, he chose the path he thought best for him. He chose the wrong one. He righted it and is coming home.
He's our next Wirfs coming in with a new O coordinator. I'm excited as shit!
