Kadyn Proctor I used to go home and sulk after performing poorly. THE Alabama Football The 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 as 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 the way you play.”

After Alabama’s 2023 season ended in a Rose Bowl loss, Proctor hit the transfer portal. He returned to his home state and joined Iowa.

Then he changed his mind. Proctor returned to the portal, choosing to join his friends in Tuscaloosa, even with a new coaching staff in place.

He has been significantly better on the field this season.

“It’s kind of something that happened in me,” Proctor said. “Because the hatred I felt last year for everything I did just made me want to never mess up again and come here and work every day.”

Along the way, he received help from Crimson Tide captain Tyler Booker, who he credits with helping him overcome his mental issues. Growing up, Proctor sought to pass on some of the same lessons

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

The Crimson Tide offensive line has struggled this season. The group, including Proctor, had a tough performance in Alabama’s loss to Tennessee in October.

However, against a talented LSU defensive front on Saturday, the Tide did not give up a single sack. The line was helped by Jalen Milroe’s skill in escaping pressure, but still put up an impressive effort in the 42-13 win in Baton Rouge.

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

“It was very good,” Proctor said. “We strove to finish and that’s what we were focused on. Giving up zero sacks against a very good defensive front. My matchup was tough, I mean I had two great defensive ends that I saw last year and they continue to improve.

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