Interview: 2019 RB Jeffery Proctor Taking Iowa State Lessons to California JUCO Fields

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Any direct exposure for a player to collegiate football is a great opportunity to learn. After playing all over the field at the high school level for Munster (IN), Jeffery Proctor took his skills to Ames spending a redshirt freshman season with the Cyclones. An offseason transfer to San Bernardino Valley JUCO showed Proctor took some of the Power Five Conference lessons with him working to be one of California’s top all-purpose backs.

Pick an important stat to measure success on the field, and Proctor at one time or another has filled it. During his junior season with the Mustangs, Proctor rushed for 720 yards off 114 carries with seven scores and hauled in three passes for 125 yards with two more trips to the end zone. On special teams, he took six kicks back for 289 yards with a long of 84-yards and on defense ended 13 plays with one pick. His senior season was hampered by a high ankle sprain, but in limited action still tore it up covering 665 rush yards on 95 totes with eight touchdowns while also securing nine passes for 126 yards with an additional touchdown. His overall athleticism was once again on display as a game changer on special teams with six kick returns for 127 yards and two punts taken back for 27 more yards. On defense, 14 more tackles and another pick.

Proctor spent the 2016 season applying his trade with Iowa State moving from running back to the slot. The 5-8, 180 pound, talent gained a wealth of experience with the Cyclones and was able to expand his abilities in the passing game making him an even more dangerous threat out of the backfield. The total package was put on display with San Bernardino Valley in 2017. Up to his usual all-purpose yard bag of tricks, Proctor ended the season with 369 rush yards off 88 carries with three score, 15 passes pulled in for 152 yards and four more trips into the end zone, and even took back three kicks for 184 yards, one being an 89-yard score.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the Iowa State bounce back gaining insight on his journey from Indiana to Iowa State and then out to California covering his growth on the field along the way.

Interview

Jeff, how did your freshman season in Ames go for you?

“It went well. I redshirted. I was 160 when I got there, but left weighing 180 pounds. I put on a lot of weight and kept my speed. We had a good strength coach out there. It went well.”

You had that unique opportunity to learn a lot about the game at a Power Five Conference program. What were some of the techniques or tricks of the trade you learned about playing running back while with Iowa State?

“I played slot receiver there. I learned a lot. I played running back in high school, but when I got there they wanted me at slot because of my speed, my change of direction, and how I run routes. I never played receiver before then. My route running and hands got a lot better. I got a lot better all the way around. I put in a lot of good work with Iowa State.”

When you started lining up against California JUCO talent, what adjustments did you have to make to your game?

“When I got to California, it was different. I had to make sure I kept my game on point. In practice, I made sure to bring the Division-I mentality. Going back to running back, my main position, I felt more comfortable there. After a couple of practices, I was back at it.”

What is the difference on the field from ISU practices to the JUCO game?

“Speed and size. At Iowa State, all the guys are a lot bigger and, of course, there is great talent at every position. You can’t slack off in practice. It is different but I knew what to expect. Now I know what I have to do to get back to the next level.”

How did you improve upon your skillset in 2017?

“I got faster. I trained with Gary Cablyan out of Long Beach. He trained John Ross for his combine. I got faster and more explosive, I got better as a receiver too.”

Is there an area of your game you feel is overlooked?

“Because of my size, I feel people see that first. But, if you have that mentality, you can play with anyone. I can block and I can hit. I pick up blitzes on dudes twice my size. It is not about how tall or big you are. I have that dog in me. If you can play, you can play.”

Well said. What are the overall strengths of your game?

“I feel like I am an all-around athlete. You can use me in the kick return game – this year I had three kicks I returned. One I took back for a touchdown and the other two I took back 50 yards. One of them, I should have scored again. You can see my athleticism on my high school film. I can return punts and kicks. Anytime ball is in my hands, I can take it the distance. Not everyone can do all the things that I can do. I am versatile. I even played defense in high school. I can do everything. My versatility separates me from others.”

Your film does show your speed. What is the fastest 40-yard time you’ve posted?

“At an Iowa State camp, I ran a 4.4-flat. The coaches saw me run a 4.42 the first time, and then asked me to run it again. That is when I ran a 4.4-flat.”

What are you working on this offseason?

“I’ve been working on receiver drills with Coach Cotton from Ground Zero. I am busy with classes. I am taking winter and spring semester classes. My winter session is about to end. I am working on my speed, receiver drills, and lifting on my own. I am doing a lot of footwork drills.”

When is your graduation date?

“I graduate in May.”

Which schools are showing interest in you?

“New Mexico, they came down last week – they are really interested, and Utah State came to talk to me.”

What are college coaches telling you they like about your abilities?

“They like my speed. They tell me I am fast, I can make people miss in the open-field, and they need that on their team. And, I bring that. My versatility is mainly what they talk about with me. I can catch a pass out of the backfield and take a two-yard pass to an 80-yard touchdown.”

Since you’ve been through the recruiting process before, what will be the most influential factors on choosing a perfect four-year program for you this time around?

“This time, I will be a little bit pickier, especially after the coaching change at ISU. My family will be a big part of the process. How I feel about what the coaches are telling me is another key. I have to see the campus and how I feel about the campus is important. I would like for my family to come to my games.”

For the coaches out there that may read this, if they start recruiting you, what type of student-athlete are they investing time on in the recruiting process?

“A dedicated one. I feel like I am the type of guy all coaches want on their team. I am there after workouts putting in extra time. At Iowa State, I stayed for two to three hours doing extra work. Sometimes I was at the facility at 2:00 in the morning working out. I am an invested guy. I am trying to get on the field. I do not want to sit there. I trust in God and keep working hard.”

Jeff, thanks for your time today. Good luck with your winter and spring classes along with your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Jeff Proctor at the Rise and Fire Camp LA