‘Sense of Urgency’: Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor Speaks on VanDeMark and Dewberry

Alabama is faced with the tough task of replacing an All-American left guard in Tyler Booker, who declared for the NFL draft in January and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in April.

Get our free mobile app

The two players competing for the left guard spot are Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry and second-year Michigan State transfer Geno VanDeMark. VanDeMark may have the upper hand early in the competition, as he spent last season as Alabama's sixth offensive lineman, rotating in at both guard spots.

Still, the addition of Dewberry in the room gives Alabama something it lacked last season: depth at guard. Whoever fails to secure a starting spot will likely be Alabama's "swing" offensive lineman should the starter or right guard Jaeden Roberts go down for an extended time.

On Wednesday, at SEC Media Days, Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor was asked about both Dewberry and VanDeMark.

"What he brings to the group is intensity," Proctor said of Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry. "He's had those years where he started. He's been playing since early freshman year, so I has been through those tough environments. He knows what's going on.

"He's older than me, so he has a little bit more experience than me, so some things that I don't know, he can teach me, and I love that we have those elder guys. Always have a mix of young guys that he can teach to and I can teach, and we feed off each other for sure from the past experiences we've had."

When Proctor missed the first two games of 2024 with a shoulder injury, Alabama kicked Tyler Booker to left tackle, and VanDeMark started the game at left guard. Throughout the season, VanDeMark rotated in heavily at right guard for a banged-up Jaeden Roberts. His experience playing for Alabama last season is valuable, whether he wins the starting job or not.

"For Geno, he's had a lot of experience. He's in his last year of eligibility. He's played a long time of football. He knows what he's doing. He's a smart guy. Ever since going to Alabama, he's gotten stronger, faster.
"He's just had that focus and intent, knowing he's an older guy that knows this is his last year. He's got a sense of urgency, honestly, to be the best that he can."

The experience that both Dewberry and VanDeMark bring to Alabama this season will be crucial for the Tide to have success in 2025.

Pearl River Resort sponsors our coverage of SEC Media Days, live from Atlanta, Georgia. Check out Pearl River Resort at pearlriverresort.com.

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_.