Josh Proctor Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

School: Ohio State

Class: 6th Year Senior

Position: SAF

HT: 6’1

WT: 199 lbs

Sideline Prospect Ranking: #95

Background: Josh Proctor is an extremely veteran presence in the Ohio State secondary. Proctor has used 6 seasons of eligibility. Proctor was a top 50 player in the country and one of the better safeties in the 2018 recruiting class. Proctor is from Owasso, Oklahoma and played his high school football at Owasso High School. Proctor played on both sides of the ball for Owasso, both at wide receiver and safety. As a senior, Proctor led his school to their first ever state championship in nearly 50 years. Josh Proctor picked the Buckeyes over Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Michigan.

College: Proctor immediately saw game action as a true freshman, playing for a defense that went on to win the Rose Bowl. By 2020, Proctor’s 3rd season, he was a starting safety and named a Big 10 Honorable Mention. Unfortunately, Proctor missed most of the 2021 season due to an injury sustained early in the season against Oregon. Proctor was back to being a starter in 2022 and was a captain of the defense.

Strengths: Josh Proctor is one of the best combinations of size, speed, and athleticism in this draft cycle. Proctor is a physical safety who loves to do the dirty work at the back end of a defense. He is a rare case of a safety whose strength is defending the run. Not only is he a willing tackler, but he actively seeks out contact. He is a violent player who will stop at nothing to make a play on the football. He has excellent closing speed that pops out on the tape. Proctor demonstrates proper tackling technique while also maintaining that aforementioned violence in his hits. He wraps up the ball carrier every time. This closing in speed and tackling ability also suits a defense well in pass coverage. When in the deep third of the field, Proctor is able to read the quarterback’s eyes and close in on the intended target to either lodge the ball free or make a big hit.

Weaknesses: With these positives, Proctor is a below average safety in both man and zone coverage. He has poor technique and does not transition from backpedal to sprint as fluidly as his counterparts.

Conclusions: Proctor just needs some fine tuning when it comes to his technique in coverage and he can be a real x factor for a defense.

Scheme Fit: Man Coverage

Ideal Role: Strong Safety

Best Team Fits: GB, PHI, BUF

Player Comparison: Jordan Poyer

Player Grade: 75.8