Iowa NIL collective releases statement on Kadyn Proctor's departure
The Iowa-driven NIL entity Swarm Collective released a statement Thursday night emphasizing that any dollars paid out to Kadyn Proctor did not come from boosters’ pockets. The statement comes two days after news broke that the offensive tackle intends to transfer back to Alabama after leaving the Tide for the Hawkeyes in January.
In the days since Proctor’s decision to re-enter the portal and head back to Tuscaloosa was made public, speculation has run rampant that the offensive tackle took NIL dollars from the collective all just to leave after less than 60 days. In its statement, the collective made clear any dollars paid out to the former Five-Star Plus+ recruit did not come from donors’ pockets.
“Swarm operates with both the nonprofit collective side, which relies on generous fan contributions, and the Inc. side, where businesses contract with student-athletes,” the statement from Swarm CEO Brad Heinrichs said. “Kaydn Proctor has not received funds from the collective. He received a portion of his Swarm Inc. contracted payment from a sponsoring business. We are unable to share the details of these contracts due to confidentiality clauses in the contracts. Supporting lowa athletics and lowa nonprofits remains our priority. Thank you for your support.”
Launched in July 2022, the nonprofit collective services Iowa’s football and basketball programs. Athletes are compensated for their work with charities in Iowa City.
A source close to the situation told On3 in recent days that the freshman was paid less than six figures from the corporate sponsor and fulfilled a marketing component to receive the compensation. The contract also called for Proctor to receive the keys to a truck, which he will have to return before returning to Tuscaloosa.
Top offensive tackles and EDGE rushers in the transfer portal command between $300,000 to $700,000 annually.
Kadyn Proctor rejoining Alabama teammates
Proctor initially committed to the Hawkeyes as a high school recruit before flipping to Alabama a day before signing day in December 2022. He announced Tuesday he plans to re-enter the portal and re-enroll at Alabama. According to multiple reports, he went on spring break last week with multiple former Tide teammates last week.
He started 13 games at left tackle as a true freshman, earning All-SEC Freshman Team honors. Proctor picked up SEC Freshman of the Week recognition for his play at Auburn and was named to On3’s Freshmen All-American team.
The 6-foot-7, 360-pound lineman will now look to help the Tide return to the College Football Playoff in Year 1 under Kalen DeBoer.