Iowa Football acknowledges violating NCAA regulations following revelations brought to light by a five-star transfer from Alabama.

Kadyn Proctor returned to his home state of Iowa after a year at Alabama, where he had been the top-rated lineman in the Class of 2023 and a key player for the Crimson Tide, starting in every game during the previous season’s College Football Playoff run. Following the retirement of head coach Nick Saban, Proctor entered the transfer portal and eventually joined the Hawkeyes, who had actively recruited him in high school. The Iowa fanbase demonstrated their support by raising over $100,000 overnight through NIL collective efforts to secure his commitment.

Despite Proctor’s initial success and recognition as a Freshman All-American, he faced some early-season challenges, leading to discussions about his place in the starting lineup. During this time, a coach at Iowa inadvertently exposed the new coaching staff for violating NCAA rules by initiating contact with Proctor in the middle of the season, which is strictly prohibited.

In his first interview in Iowa City, Proctor unintentionally disclosed the illegal mid-season contact, prompting the Hawkeyes to self-report a Level III violation for impermissible contact. Although the violation is considered minor and is expected to result in additional training for the coaching staff, there is a possibility that the NCAA, known for selective enforcement, could view the text to Proctor as tampering, especially considering the involvement of NIL.

Given Iowa’s relative standing compared to more prominent programs, such as Florida State, Tennessee, or Miami, it is likely that the situation may not escalate further. However, the unpredictability of the NCAA’s decisions adds an element of uncertainty. Proctor’s inadvertent revelation led the Hawkeyes to acknowledge the wrongdoing, and the hope is that, for the sake of consistency within the sport, the matter will not escalate beyond its current state.