Kadyn Proctor Establishes What Alabama Needs to do to Run the Ball Better

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama returned to the practice field as the Crimson Tide prepares for its first bye week of the season before traveling to take on the Georgia Bulldogs on Sept. 27. Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor spoke to the media on Thursday morning.

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Proctor began talking about Alabama's run game, a unit that was considered a strength for the Crimson Tide coming into the season. Through a pair of injuries to Jam Miller and Jaeden Roberts, combined with uncertainty at right tackle, the Crimson Tide's run game has left a lot to be desired through the first three games of the season.

Alabama ranks 105th in the country in rushing offense, averaging 124 yards per game, but four yards per rush. The Crimson Tide has yet to have a 100-yard rusher this season, but faced a Florida State run defense ranked 32nd in the country, and a Wisconsin defense ranked No. 4 in the country. Alabama's best game running the ball came against ULM, when the Crimson Tide accumulated 212 yards on the ground and three scores, with freshman running back AK Dear leading the team with 76 yards. Starting running back Kevin Riley totaled 69 yards on the ground against the Warhawks.

Kadyn Proctor said physicality and intensity" are two ways the Crimson Tide can improve in the run game.

Proctor also mentioned the "right" five guys being on the field.

"We need all five guys out there that know what they are doing and the right lineup," Proctor said. "And I know that they are going to do that."

Those "five" linemen are important to Proctor. Alabama has played 11 different offensive linemen this season, with heavy rotations at right guard between Geno VanDeMark and Jaeden Roberts, and at right tackle with Wilkin Formby and Michael Carroll.

For Proctor, it makes sense to rotate early in the season against inferior competition like ULM and Wisconsin. But when the Crimson Tide enters SEC play against tougher opponents, Proctor would like to see the rotation tightened up.

"I don't think it's good to have rotation throughout the full season because you have to have that camaraderie between all five for them to be at one," Proctor said. "But earlier in the season, I guess it's OK to have that rotation. We've shown to win with those rotations going on. So I feel like it's not bad right now, but once we get to those tougher teams, we need those five and we need to stay put."

Proctor, Kam Dewberry, and Parker Brailsford have been the mainstays along the offensive line through three games. Geno VanDeMark has been filling in for Jaeden Roberts as he returns to game shape after missing two weeks (and both scrimmages) of fall camp with a concussion, and Wilkin Formby has competed with Michael Carroll at right tackle. According to Colin Gay of the Tuscaloosa News, Proctor, Dewberry, Brailsford, and VanDeMark have played 160 snaps, while Formby has played 154.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.