2026: Fall Issue
From Claws to Wings, Kaleb Proctor to the NFL
Southeastern Louisiana University defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor became the school's first NFL draft pick in a decade after being selected in the fourth round by the Arizona Cardinals following his consensus All-American senior season.
By: Brock Sanders
From Saturday nights at Strawberry Stadium to Sunday afternoons in Glendale, Arizona, Kaleb Proctor achieved something no other Southeastern Lion has accomplished in a decade: being drafted to the National Football League.
The Arizona Cardinals selected Proctor in the fourth round with overall pick No. 104. He joins a prestigious list of Lion Football alumni drafted and is the second to be drafted in the first four rounds since 1980.
Proctor, from Oak Grove, Louisiana, began his career at Southeastern in 2022, where he played in 12 games before becoming a full-time starter as a sophomore the next year. By his junior year, he was selected as a second-team All-Southland Conference player at defensive tackle, recording 49 tackles (16 solo), six tackles for loss, four and a half sacks, and a fumble recovery.
“I wasn’t chasing the money; I was chasing winning and being around a great group of guys,” Proctor said regarding returning to Southeastern for his senior year.
Returning for his final year, Proctor was named Southland Conference Player of the Year, earned FCS consensus All-American, was selected first-team All-Southland Conference, and led the conference with nine sacks. The Lions ranked top 10 nationally in total defense and top 12 nationally in scoring defense.
“He stayed loyal to Southeastern and was able to grow, prosper and reach his full potential,” Southeastern football head coach Frank Scelfo said.
Proctor’s teammates were also awarded various Southland Conference honors, including KK Reno, who was selected as the Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Kick returner Brandon Hayes was first-team All-Southland Conference, and Deantre Jackson, Cade Collier, Jaylon Domingeaux, Holden Karekowsky, Joshua Randall and Ian Conerly-Goodly were all second-team All-Southland Conference.
“The guys I came in as a freshman with will be at my wedding one day,” Proctor said.
Lion Football will miss an integral part of its dominant defense from last year. But the effect Proctor had on and off the field will trickle to the next starters Coach Scelfo chooses to grace Strawberry Stadium.
“Kaleb’s ability to move and bend – his athleticism – is what had all the teams intrigued. But it’s his character and his ability to be a great teammate that will make him successful,” Scelfo said.
