Kadyn Proctor reacts to SEC rule change benefiting offensive players

At last week’s SEC Football Kickoff Media Days, SEC rule changes were presented to members of the media by John McDaid, the Southeastern Conference’s coordinator of officials. One particular rule change will benefit offensive players, especially the offensive linemen.

Officials will now judge defensive flinches or abrupt movements designed to draw offensive linemen offsides as delay of game infractions.

“The definition of a false start has forever been action that simulates the snap,” McDavid said. “That’s standard, action that simulates the snap is now put on the defense as well, and the officials are being asked to judge defensive movement in that light.”

McDavid also highlighted that the number of false starts in college football have increased each season.

According to McDavid, this does not mean that stemming is going to be flagged. Stemming is a technique used by a defense to create confusion among the offensive line and mess up their blocking schemes. A defense normally stems after the offense breaks the huddle and lines up in their offensive formation. When the offense is set, the Mike linebacker alerts the defense to move from one alignment to another.

Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor was asked for his opinion on the subject as an offensive lineman.

“That’s football man,” Proctor said. “You’re gonna have those little tricks in and out there, but it doesn’t make a difference if it’s a rule or not. Like I said, it’s all about us, so I’m not worried about what they are doing.”

Proctor credited Alabama offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic for preparing Alabama’s offensive front for any action that may come.

“I feel like Coach Kap does a really good job at teaching us,” Proctor said. “That’s his job to get us prepared for that. It all comes down to the preparation. And we know that’s going to happen. They’re going to stem, and we have to understand that we know that’s why they’re doing this is to get us to jump offsides. You just have to hone in and focus. If I know the snap count, I’m trying to use the snap count to my advantage. They don’t know the snap count, so whatever they are doing over there, I’m not really worried about it.”