By Tony Thomas
Below is a collection of rather large fellows who love pancakes, pancake blocks that is. Here we profile the top offensive tackle commitments form the transfer portal.
Kadyn Proctor
Iowa Hawkeyes (from Alabama)
6’7”, 360 lbs.
The #1 OT in the Class of 2023 and a 5-star prospect, Kadyn Proctor whittled down his list of schools to the final two: Iowa and Alabama. Proctor committed to the Hawkeyes, but a last- minute flip saw him head down south to Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide. However, when Saban announced his retirement, Proctor saw the home fires burning, entered the portal, and headed home to play for the Hawkeyes.
Duo led by true freshman LT Kadyn Proctor.
Whew. pic.twitter.com/ZcrSXC5B9J
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) December 2, 2023
Proctor has good footwork and has typical NFL size for his position and is tenacious at the line of scrimmage when engaging defenders. He will continue the long-standing tradition of talented and dominant offensive linemen to play in Kinnick Stadium.
Zalance Heard
Tennessee Volunteers (from LSU)
6’5”, 305 lbs.
A former 5-star tackle prospect in the Class of 2023, Zalance Heard was ranked as the #16 player overall, and #3 OT. Heard committed to the Tigers and appeared in 12 games and started one.
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Zalance Heard is a big man who moves bodies at will. Heard #53 and playing RT in these game reps. pic.twitter.com/noBCwtxK4i
— Kerry Williams (@kerrywilliams_) January 21, 2024
With good footwork and a better burst of speed, Heard makes good use of his hands and is ferocious at fighting off defenders. Heard simply needs minor improvements to his technique to play at an elite level at the collegiate level, and he is expected to be penciled in as a starter in Rocky Top in 2024.
Cayden Green
Missouri Tigers (from Oklahoma)
6’4”, 315 lbs.
A native of Lee’s Summit, MO., Cayden Green started in seven games and played in 11 head coach Brent Venables and the Sooners. The #11 offensive tackle in the 2023 class, Green was a Top 100 player and the #2 overall player in the Show Me state. Green has a big frame and good change of direction, and maintains his balance while engaging defenders.
Tawee Walker runs it in and OU retakes the lead.
True freshman Cayden Green with a nice block at left guard. #OUDNA | #BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/vSbtQWp6aX
— 𝕺𝖐𝖑𝖆𝖍𝖔𝖒𝖆 𝖛𝖘. 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖔𝖗𝖑𝖉 (@soonergridiron) October 7, 2023
JC Davis
Illinois Fighting Illini (from New Mexico)
6’5”, 307 lbs.
An experienced offensive tackle, JC Davis fills a position of need for the Illini. A 1st Team All-Mountain West Conference selection, Davis received interest from 13 different schools before choosing to further his college career under the tutelage of Illinois head coach Brett Bielema.
🗣️ New Mexico OL JC Davis on why he chose Illinois: “They showed that they want me the most.”@JCDavis56 has confirmed with me that he will enroll in January. pic.twitter.com/BQPJxzcroo
— UI Zone (@Recruit2Illini) December 31, 2023
Davis is rated as a 4-star prospect and the #5 OT in the transfer portal, and played for a Lobos offensive unit that ranked in the Top 30 in sacks allowed with 19.
Fernando Carmona
Arkansas Razorbacks (from San Jose State)
6’5”, 325 lbs.
With 24 starts to his credit at San Jose State, Fernando Carmona played for an offensive line unit that ranked #37 in the FBS in sacks allowed with 20. Carmona himself allowed only two sacks and 12 quarterback hurries in 2023, and brings his experience to a Razorback team that ranked #128 in the FBS in sacks allowed with 47 last season.
Per his Instagram, San Jose State transfer OT Fernando Carmona has committed to Arkansas!!! Let’s go!! #WPS pic.twitter.com/VByOmOOMMo
— Hawgs on the Hill (@HawgsontheHill) December 16, 2023
