Former Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor will eventually go up against the best pass rushers the NFL has to offer, but for now, no one has been a more daunting challenger for him than Oklahoma defensive end R Mason Thomas.
Proctor is a projected first-round pick by most in April's 2026 NFL Draft, and Thomas is also gaining more traction as a future first-round selection after an impressive showing at the NFL Scouting Combine last week. During the NFL Combine, Proctor was asked during his media availability which player was his toughest matchup while going up against monstrous SEC defensive lines on a weekly basis, and he barely needed time to think before answering it was Thomas.
Kadyn Proctor tabs R Mason Thomas as his toughest challenge
"I would say R Mason Thomas, just from the speed that he has off the snap," Proctor said. "He's not the biggest guy, but he has a lot of pop, and that's what I seen from that game."
Alabama OL Kadyn Proctor on his toughest match-up he faced this past season pic.twitter.com/8WdJ6lcn0x
— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) February 28, 2026
Proctor had the benefit of having to face Thomas just once this season despite their teams meeting twice, but it only took Thomas one time to leave a worthy impression. Thomas was sidelined with a hamstring injury when the Sooners upset Alabama 23-21 in Tuscaloosa during the regular season, but he made his return just over a month later when OU hosted the Crimson Tide in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
In his return and final college football game, Thomas recorded three tackles and a quarterback hurry. He surprisingly didn't reach Bama quarterback Ty Simpson for a sack, but it apparently wasn't easy for Proctor to keep his QB upright when Thomas was across from him.
Thomas' former coaches and teammates will obviously speak highly of him, but hearing statements like this from enemies with no reason to salute Thomas could be a twist that catches scouts' attention, especially since Proctor faced NFL prospects nearly every Saturday throughout his college career in the SEC. Proctor is also even bigger than the type of offensive linemen Thomas will have to face in the NFL at a massive 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds, which help negates the knock on Thomas' size as an NFL edge rusher.
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. already said a strong showing at the NFL Combine could solidify Thomas as a first-round pick, but receiving praise from former opponents could boost Thomas' NFL Draft stock even more than a 40-yard dash time or bench press reps.