Alabama mailbag: What do Mark Sears, Kadyn Proctor decisions mean for Tide?

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Welcome to a spring edition of the Alabama mailbag. It’s a busy time of the year in Tuscaloosa with spring sports in full swing, football and men’s basketball roster reconstruction and transfer portal activity, and we’re about six weeks away from June recruiting visits/camps. Simply put, there’s no shortage of interesting topics to dive into.

There were so many good questions that this mailbag is split into two parts — shorter-term topics and longer-term topics. Thank you as always for reading the coverage and participating in question submissions. Without further ado, let’s get into it.

Note: Submitted questions have been edited for clarity and length.

Any chance Mark Sears will return to Alabama? What are the chances that Alabama will add a rim protector? — Butch H.

On Wednesday, Sears announced that he’s entering the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility, meaning he will go through the draft process and gather information before making a decision. The deadline to decide is May 29, and the NBA combine is May 12-19 so Sears will have ample opportunity to impress NBA scouts and ample time to decide with the feedback he’s provided. This is a common trend in college basketball, and it’s important to note that, unlike other high-profile players who are doing the same like Bronny James (USC) and Jeremy Roach (Duke), Sears is not entering the transfer portal. So it appears to be either the NBA or returning to Alabama.

The best-case scenario for Sears is playing his way into the first round, meaning a guaranteed contract for the first two years with a two-year team option or securing a second-round exception deal — a three-year deal, with a first-year salary worth up to the minimum for a player with one year of service ($1,801,769 in 2023-24) or a four-year deal, with a first-year salary worth up to the minimum for a player with two years of service ($2,019,706). If not, Sears would sign a standard contract (minimum salary of $1.12 million) or a two-way deal worth $559,782 or half the minimum.

If Sears, at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, is selected in the first round, he would be the ninth 6-1 or shorter first-round point guard since 2018, although it’s a list that includes high-level contributors like Trae Young, Darius Garland and Collin Sexton. One pro comparison that arose for Sears during his NCAA Tournament run is all-star Jalen Brunson, who was the 33rd pick in 2018. Sears displayed scoring ability and leadership traits that will make him attractive to NBA teams, but what he would gain most from a final season at Alabama is showing consistent defensive effort. And a fifth year in Tuscaloosa, one that would feature conference/national acclaim and maybe another strong tournament run, would cement his status as a program legend.

If Sears can receive some assurances that he’ll be a top-35 pick, which would put him in second-round exception conversation, it would be hard for him to turn that down. If it’s uncertain, I could see Alabama making the necessary NIL push to get Sears back and make another Final Four run. My feeling is 60/40 on a return.

Onto the second part of the question. I’m fairly confident that Alabama will add a defensive big via the portal. Forward Nick Pringle entered the transfer portal this week, a move that’s probably best for both sides, which opens up a spot in the frontcourt. Even if Grant Nelson returns, and he has a decision to make, Alabama needs to supplement the front court with a legit rim protector, perhaps the missing piece from this year’s team.

One name in particular to watch is Rutgers transfer Clifford Omoruyi, who averaged 10.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game last season. On paper, he’s exactly what Alabama needs — a double-double threat who’s elite on defense. That would allow Nelson to move to power forward, and Alabama would have one of the best four-five combinations in college basketball. Things move quickly in portal recruiting, and the biggest part of this is getting players on campus, so until Omoruyi sets up a visit, the intrigue only can go so far. If not Omoruyi, I expect the staff to be aggressive in filling the final two spots on the roster (Auburn point guard Aden Holloway visited Alabama on Thursday).

Kadyn Proctor (74) announced this week he will return to Alabama after transferring to Iowa in January. (USA Today).

Aside from the fact that we don’t know how many current Alabama football players will enter the portal, what would be your ideal haul from the portal by position? — Zachary S.

Alabama has yet to have a scholarship player enter the portal and has added one player: Kadyn Proctor. The projected scholarship count sits at 84 players. There are clear needs on the offensive line and at cornerback, but a few other positions could benefit from an impact player.

GO DEEPER

What does Kadyn Proctor’s return mean for Alabama?

Ideally, Alabama adds linemen who could wear a few different hats and provide competitive depth, particularly on the interior. The tackle situation is stabilized a bit with Proctor, who completes a four-man two deep with Elijah Pritchett, Wilkin Formby and Miles McVay. Winter transfer Naquil Betrand, a developmental prospect, benefited from a full spring with the second team and will provide depth.

Parker Brailsford is expected to return, but it wouldn’t hurt to add a player with college experience at center who could double as a guard for insurance. It was a productive spring for young players like Olaus Alinen (guard, tackle), Joseph Ionata (guard, center), Roq Montgomery (guard, center) and William Sanders (guard, center), who cross-trained this spring, but more competitive bodies can’t hurt.

A tall, veteran option at wide receiver would bolster that group. The top three of Germie Bernard, Kobe Prentice and Kendrick Law are explosive, and Alabama made the College Football Playoff without a taller option, but a bigger-bodied target who can stretch the field can take this offense to the next level — see Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk’s impact on Washington’s offense last year. Alabama doesn’t need to add a receiver just to add one, but if a proven playmaker arises, it should pursue it. And there’s a talented incoming 2024 haul with three blue-chip prospects, including Ryan Williams.

GO DEEPER

Alabama in the transfer portal: Positions of need, chances for departures

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I would go after a pair of defensive backs to serve different purposes: one starting cornerback and one versatile player who adds competitive depth. According to Hayes Fawcett of On3, Alabama extended an offer to defensive back Greedy Vance, who has four years of experience between Florida State and Louisville and started five games for the Seminoles last season at slot cornerback. That’s the type of player who can push for playing time and add experienced depth to the secondary. A Vance-outside cornerback combination would be a strong haul. Dark horse additions: an impact defensive lineman and a kicker.

Ideally, five or six players (not including Proctor), would be added. That would mean four or five players have to depart from the program, which hasn’t happened. It says a lot about new coach Kalen DeBoer and how his new staff conducted spring if few or no Alabama players eventually enter the portal.

With Proctor coming back, how do you expect the offensive line to look this year? — Hunter L.

Proctor’s return fortifies the line, and he was a big get for Alabama. Proctor was the best offensive lineman available nationally, and while he had his share of struggles, he was still an every-game starter on an SEC championship team.

I’d predict a (left to right) lineup of Proctor, Tyler Booker, James Brockermeyer/Brailsford, Jaeden Roberts and Pritchett. But how the offensive line performs is contingent on a few factors. Getting Proctor into the necessary shape is going to be a storyline leading up to September. He didn’t participate in spring practice, and even though he has been working out individually, the linemen on the roster are further along getting real, padded reps. They also got acclimated to the new system under position coach Chris Kapilovic, who was not on the staff when Proctor entered the portal a few months ago.

Assuming Proctor takes the necessary steps, he’s a plug-and-play starter who should feel more comfortable and confident entering his second season. At center, there’s another question mark in the availability of Brailsford. DeBoer has been steadfast that Brailsford is doing well and will return soon, so when that happens, the competition at center will be a leading storyline. The idea of Brockermeyer winning the competition is legitimate after finishing spring strong, but for depth purposes, having both players back and competing will help.

Pritchett is the X-factor of the group. He’s entering his third season in the program and is steadily receiving more responsibility — from competing with Proctor throughout 2023 at left tackle to exclusively working at first-team left tackle this spring. It’s not an ability question with Pritchett, a former five-star recruit; it’s a matter of finding confidence. Booker has made it an emphasis to instill confidence in Pritchett daily, as he did with Proctor last season, and it appeared to pay off at A-Day.

GO DEEPER

Alabama football film study: The plays to remember from A-Day

Overall, I expect a pretty good offensive line this fall. The interior is stout, the tackles have potential for good seasons, and a scheme that prioritizes the quick pass game will cut down on the sack numbers from last season.

After spring, how would you rank the position groups — from best to worst? Are running backs at the top of the rankings? Almost a new secondary at the bottom? — Grzegorz K.

This is a fun question to round out the first part of the mailbag. I thought about the rankings in terms of which group has All-America or all-conference-level performers, snaps played by the group and the amount of playable depth. Keep in mind that even the worst group at Alabama would be a top-ranked unit on most Power 5 teams.

Here’s my ranking with one thought to explain each placement:

1. Running back — There are two legitimate game-breaking options and a very capable third back.
2. Quarterback — Jalen Milroe is arguably a top-five quarterback, and there are a high-level No. 2 and two promising prospects.
3. Inside linebacker — Two starters are All-SEC level talents, and several promising young players are waiting in the wings.
4. Punter — Seriously, James Burnip was a Pro Football Focus first-team All-American last season and will be elite in 2024.
5. Defensive line — A-Day wasn’t a great showing, but this group has the most playable options on the team.
6. Wide receiver — This group may not have a marquee name, but it will be highly productive and explosive.
7. Safety — Malachi Moore, Keon Sabb and DeVonta Smith make up a good trio, and true freshman Red Morgan is an exciting prospect to watch.
8. Tight end — There’s not a game-breaking option, but the group is deep and experienced.
9. Offensive line — It’s one part elite, one part questionable, but there is little depth.
10. Outside linebacker — There are talented options, both young and older, but little in-game production.
11. Cornerback — There’s only one player in the position with game experience, but it will get better soon.
12. Kicker — The Tide lost the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, and this is still a question mark entering summer.

(Top photo of Mark Sears: Christian Petersen / Getty Images)