ATLANTA — Kadyn Proctor looks the part of a franchise NFL offensive tackle.
He's 6-foot-7, 366 pounds and well put together.
He's strong and athletic.
And, as a former five-star prospect, he knows how to carry himself like a pro. He showed up to SEC media days on Wednesday in Atlanta prepared for the spotlight, wearing a sharp dark suit, sparkling jewelry on his neck and wrist, and sporting a fresh haircut.
He said all the right things, too. Like when he entertained the media with news of his voluminous cologne collection — upwards of 170 bottles. He wants to change the narrative, he explained, that "if you're big, you stink." That elicited more than a few laughs.
More to the point, he didn't take the bait when SEC Network anchor Dari Nowkhah told him that some people think Alabama has the best offensive line in the country.
"We have not proven anything yet, offensive line-wise, to be ranked No. 1 throughout the season," Proctor responded. "When the Joe Moore [Award] comes around, then we'll know. Right now, we're just focused on lifting and running and going into fall camp and just having the best time of our lives."
A perfect answer.
But, then again, fielding questions and looking the part has never been the concern for Proctor.
To this point in his career, what's been missing is consistently acting the part on the football field.
There have been flashes of brilliance, of course. After a brutal start to his freshman season, he settled in and looked like one of the best left tackles in the country during the Iron Bowl and SEC Championship. But then he injured himself before the Rose Bowl and didn't play his best game against Michigan.
Then, during warmups prior to the season-opener last season, he dove on the ground and injured his shoulder. He put off surgery until after the season, sat out a few games and, when he returned, he wasn't quite himself playing with one arm tied behind his back.
Still, once the season ended and the NFL Draft came and went, the mock drafts for 2026 started rolling out and there was Proctor's name, prominently featured in the first round. ESPN's Matt Miller tabbed Proctor as the No. 9 overall pick, noting his physicality and "mean streak."
On Wednesday, I asked Proctor about those mock draft projections.
"I haven't really looked into it too much," he said, "because I feel like I haven't proven myself to be in at that level yet. Like I still have another season. You never know what's going to happen. So I'm doing everything in my best ability, and if that happens at the end of the day, then I'm going to be blessed. But I'm not focused on that at all."
Another perfect answer.
But how do you prove the projections correct?
"I prove it by having that level of intent," he said, "and obviously not giving up any sacks and just doing my job and being that mauler that I know I can be."
Proctor later told ESPN that he wants to "put guys' butts on their backs" this season. Which drew the attention of another draft expert, Jordan Reid, who noted the "split opinions" on Proctor among NFL personnel evaluators.
"Many want to see him use his frame and play to his potential more often this upcoming season," he noted in a post on X.
Staying healthy would be a good step in that direction.
Who knows? Maybe becoming draft eligible and knowing the millions of dollars that are at stake will provide the added incentive he needs.
Whatever the case, Proctor has to finally reach his ceiling. And not just for his own future. For Alabama's offense to be successful, he needs to protect Ty Simpson's blind side and clear a Jamarion Miller-sized path in the running game.
He's saying and doing all the right things right now, which is great.
But as we move past media days and the so-called "talking season," it's time for the whole picture to come together, not just parts of it.
It's time to see him show what he's capable of every single week.