Kadyn Proctor and the absurdity of the new college football transfer portal

Kadyn Proctor is from Pleasant Hills, Iowa, so it made sense when he followed up a terrific freshman season at Alabama by transferring back home and committing to the Hawkeyes.

Especially after the news of Nick Saban's retirement, a homecoming seemed welcome and the Hawkeyes were more than happy to bring the former five-star offensive tackle back to the state.

Proctor entered the transfer portal after Saban's announcement and it seemed that the long-awaited union between the star tackle and the Hawkeyes would finally commence. Keep in mind, Proctor was actually committed to Iowa in the past before flipping to the Crimson Tide the day before National Signing Day.

The two were like star-crossed lovers who finally got their chance, and then suddenly, before he even played a down with the Hawkeyes or even participated in spring practice — Proctor is gone again.

He's left Iowa, likely to end up in Tuscaloosa once again, this time playing for Kalen DeBoer.

“It is unfortunate that Kadyn has informed us of his intentions to leave our program today,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said on Monday, per "The Athletic". “We wish him well in the future.”

Proctor can't officially enter the transfer portal until April 16 and it's worth noting that he's still on Iowa's official roster, but he's eligible to play right away in 2024-25 despite being a multi-time transfer so should he end back at Alabama (which is likely) he won't have to sit out despite going back and forth more than a grandfather clock.

Proctor is free to do what he wants and per the NCAA in this new transfer portal happy era, there's nothing wrong with it. This situation does highlight the absurdity of college football's new transfer portal rules, though. 

Perhaps players shouldn't be ineligible for a season if they decide to transfer — like how it used to be — but if these relaxed rules continue when will we see a player play for one school one weekend and then transfer to another the next weekend?

That scenario no longer seems inconceivable. Neither, unfortunately, does a college football trade deadline.

Not only that, but Proctor had received payment through Iowa's NIL collective and he even had a partnership with a local car dealership. He's benefited monetarily from the Hawkeyes but will never play a down for Iowa.

Giving college players rights is one thing, but this seems like highway robbery.

Those who fear college sports may be dying now have yet another cap in their feather, and they may not be wrong.