Nick Saban just stole an elite in-state recruit, five-star Kadyn Proctor, from Iowa

It's usually no surprise when Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide land a big-time commitment on the recruiting trail. Kadyn Proctor, the five-star offensive tackle from Des Moines, Iowa, backing out from his commitment to the in-state Hawkeyes and pledging to the Crimson Tide is a bit of a surprise, though. 

That's not as much a shot on Saban and the Tide as it is an acknowledgment of Iowa's ability to lock down in-state talent. The Hawkeyes also have a clear history of sending elite players to the NFL, and Iowa offensive linemen are normally coveted (See: Robert Gallery, Bryan Bulaga, Riley Reiff, Brandon Sherrif and Tristan Wirfs among others). 

Iowa's in-state advantage plus the NFL pipeline apparently weren't enough to keep Proctor with the Hawkeyes, though. 

At Alabama, Proctor sees a depth chart that could lend him the opportunity to play for a championship contender right away.

“I’ll have to compete for it but it’s a good chance I start right away for a National Championship contending team and winning games and having fun and being the best I can be and playing against the best day in and day out," he told 247Sports regarding his decision. 

He also seems to like the idea of being surrounded by other elite players. Proctor is the fourth five-star recruit to commit to Saban's 2023 class.

There’s like-minded people, really, really good players in the class I can relate to and have great competition with," he said.

He had been committed to Iowa since June of 2022 but took a visit to Alabama over this past weekend — which apparently solidified his decision to flip. 

According to 247Sports, Proctor is the top offensive tackle recruit in the country as well as the No. 5 2023 recruit overall.