Kaleb Proctor, a defensive lineman recently drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, described on May 13 his early experiences adapting to life as a professional football player. Proctor said he has not yet had many “welcome to the NFL” moments but is already noticing differences from his college days at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Proctor’s transition comes after being selected in the fourth round of the draft, making him the first Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) player chosen in 2026 and the first from Southeastern Louisiana in a decade. He acknowledged feeling both challenged and encouraged by his new environment. “Man, I get lost in the building sometimes and that’s something I’ve never had to worry about,” Proctor said. “You got refrigerators with any type of drink you could think of. It’s definitely a blessing.”
During his senior season at Southeastern Louisiana, Proctor was named Southland Player of the Year with team-leading statistics that included 13 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Reflecting on these achievements as he enters training camp with teammates from larger programs, he said: “Everything you have done to get you here, yes, it’s good, but now it’s time to get better… (The Player of the Year award) gives me a sense of confidence and a sense of ‘hey, you belong here. You can do it.’ But it’s not something that I’m going to hang my hat on.” His performance against LSU particularly drew attention from Cardinals staff.
Coach Mike LaFleur commented on evaluating talent across different levels: “Tie goes to the guy that had better competition, ultimately, you’ve got to put that away.” LaFleur added about Proctor: “You just look at his traits… The thing that stood out to me about him was his play style… I’m real excited to get working with him and see what he brings to that room.” The defensive line group is younger this season following departures from veteran players.
Proctor said learning routines and adapting are key priorities as practices begin: “Right now, I’m just trying to put my best foot forward,” he said. He described studying schemes as part of adjusting—calling it a “hunt-type of defense”—and noted amenities like hot tubs were new compared with FCS facilities: “I’m feeling it out, seeing what works best for me, and what helps me get going.”
The Arizona Cardinals are recognized as one of the oldest continuously operating professional football franchises in the United States; they serve the greater Phoenix area in Arizona and host home games in Glendale while competing in the NFC West division according to their official website.
