There may not be an incoming first-year more excited to be in Charlottesville than center RJ Proctor.
Proctor does not come in with the highest ranking, but we advise fans to take it with a grain of salt. The offensive line is nearly impossible to project at the next level, and Proctor possesses the intangibles that cannot be taught. If you would like further proof that rankings don’t mean a thing, Proctor dominated the Rivals camp last spring against many higher ranked defensive lineman.
This past fall, Proctor led a rugged Liberty offensive front, that helped the Eagles average over 40 points per contest. The season prior, Proctor paved the way for Liberty to rush for over 2,600 yards. During Proctor's time in an Eagle uniform, Bealeton accounted for nearly 4,800 yards on the ground.
The 6-4, 305 pound Proctor is one of, if not, the youngest members of the Virginia football team, having turned 17 after his senior season of high school. While he has good size now, there is a chance that he could still grow.
Let's take a closer look at this mammoth offensive lineman.
Profile:
Name: RJ Proctor
High School: Liberty (Bealeton Va)
Ranking: 247/ESPN Three-star, Rivals Two-star
Staring experience: Three years
Recognition: Virginia Preps FIrst-team All-State, VHSL Second-team All-State, First team All-4A North, 2013 Second-team All 4A Regional selection.
Film study:
Proctor is a powerful blocker at the point of the attack. While he has the size to compete as a college offensive lineman, his hands are what sets him apart. The former Eagle is quick to react, and uses his 85-inch wingspan to gain leverage on opposing defenders.
As seen on the film above, Proctor does a tremendous job of holding his block, and does not let go until the whistle blows. Taking a look at the very first highlight clip, Proctor pancakes his original man, and then comes along to pancake somebody else out of nowhere towards the end of the play. The film above is over 11 minutes of Proctor bulldozing people during his senior year.
Proctor's tireless work in the weight room has paid big-time dividends. This past year, Proctor set the Liberty High School squat record at 585 pounds.
Freshman impact:
Since Proctor is so young and he is currently learning a new position, expect the former All-State selection to redshirt this fall.
Proctor has looked good in limited reps at center so far, but there is much work to be done before he is ready to take snaps in a real game. During his redshirt year, Proctor will be able to learn the position, and see if center is right for him. If the staff decides to move him back to tackle, he has plenty of experience there.
Proctor will also benefit from having a year in the strength and conditioning program before he sees the field in 2016. The redshirt will allow Proctor to focus on his conditioning and becoming more lean.
Once Proctor's footwork and endurance catches up with his immense power, he could be an impact player for years to come.