So the Oklahoma native mulled over his options. At the start of the offseason, it seemed more likely Proctor would transfer or enter the NFL draft than come back to Columbus. But ultimately he decided to stay put, and given the first-team free safety reps he’s received in practice this spring, that choice appears to be working out well thus far.
“I'd say (I was) 50-50. Didn't think too much about it and tried to think a lot about it at the same time,” said Proctor about considering his next move in January. “Then at the end of the day I trusted God, I prayed day in and day out. And I felt like I made the best decision at the end of the day. … I guess the deciding factor for me was just having a chance to help these younger guys out and really take on that leader role and not just talk about it, but be about it. Stand on my business. So I feel like that was really where I decided that yeah, this is the place for me. And I know the coaches got my back.
“Honestly, I just felt like it's the best fit for me. And can't nobody stop me if I get out my own way. So just decided to stay here, buckle down and handle my business.”
Before he made his final decision, Proctor had some honest conversations with his position coach. Perry Eliano was transparent about what he felt the best possible outcomes were for both Ohio State and Proctor himself, and they both seemed to align with a sixth collegiate season in a Buckeye uniform.
“I sat down with him. We talked as men, and I explained this is what I feel is best for us as a football team first, and then I think this is going to be best for you individually,” Eliano said. “There's 110 percent trust in the room. And that's where it starts. And so when we had that conversation, it was very easy because there's a real relationship, real trust and real bond. … he understood that he needed to come back, he understood that there was more development for him and it had nothing to do with age, because it's about a mindset. And so I'm glad he's back. I mean, he's worked his tail off. You can see each and every day he's getting better and better as we've done offseason workouts and in spring ball.”
