The mental change that helped Kadyn Proctor find success with Alabama football in 2024

Kadyn Proctor used to go home and sulk after performing poorly. The Alabama football offensive tackle struggled at times during the 2023 season as a true freshman, and he let the mistakes get to him.

After a chaotic offseason, Proctor returned to his role at left tackle in Tuscaloosa with renewed focus. He said a mental change was his biggest area of improvement.

“Right now, if I give up a sack or a bad play, it’s like, ‘You can’t focus on that,’” Proctor told reporters Tuesday. “Because it’s really going to affect how you play.”

After Alabama’s 2023 season ended with a Rose Bowl loss, Proctor hit the transfer portal. He headed back to his home state, joining Iowa.

Then, he changed his mind. Proctor reentered the portal, opting to rejoin his friends in Tuscaloosa, even with a new coaching staff in place.

He’s been noticeably better on the field this season.

“It’s kind of something that happened within myself,” Proctor said. “Because, the hatred that I got last year for all the things that I was doing just made me want to not mess up ever again, and to come in here and work every day.”

Along the way, he received help from Crimson Tide captain Tyler Booker, who he credited with helping him push through his mental issues. As he’s grown up, Proctor has looked to impart some of the same lessons

“The things that happened to me, I don’t want them to happen to them,” Proctor said. “So just trying to give my singsit to them and just want to see them do the best and have success.”

The Crimson Tide offensive line has had its struggles this season. The group, Proctor included, turned in a rough performance in Alabama’s loss at Tennessee in October.

However, against a talented LSU defensive front on Saturday, the Tide didn’t surrender a single sack. The line was aided by Jalen Milroe’s talent for escaping pressure, but still turned in an impressive effort in the 42-13 win in Baton Rouge.

Proctor said the performance came after a difficult week of practice for the offensive line.

“It was very good,” Proctor said. “We strained to finish and that’s what we were focusing on. To give up zero sacks versus a very great defensive front. My matchup was tough, I mean I had two great defensive ends that I saw last year and they just keep improving.”

Alabama will be back in action Saturday against Mercer at Bryant-Denny Stadium, before closing out its regular season slate with a trip to Oklahoma and home game against Auburn. Saturday’s game is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. CT and will be streamed on SEC Network+.