It hasn’t just been four years since the New York Giants and New York Jets faced each other on the field, it’s also been four years since Giants cornerback Deonte Banks faced Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
In 2019, Banks was a student at the University of Maryland while Wilson attended The Ohio State University. The CB and WR stood opposite each other in Ohio Stadium, where the Buckeyes would trounce the Terps, 73-14.
On the way to that win, Wilson left Banks face-down in the end-zone after scoring. Ever since then, Banks has wanted revenge.
“He got me for sure [in 2019], but I wasn’t the same player I was in my second, third, or fourth year [of college],” Banks told NJ Advance Media. “So it’s cool. I wasn’t the player I am now anyway. [I’m] way more confident, way more physical. Just a whole different kid. And I wasn’t as locked in as I am.”
Banks vividly recalls that touchdown Wilson caught on him.
“I was bulls—,” he said of his coverage on the play. “I wasn’t locked in. I remember.”
Banks and Wilson didn’t meet again in college, so Sunday is the first shot Banks is going to get at defending Wilson again.
“I’m too excited,” he said. “I’ve been trying to play him [again] for a long time now.”
In a game that looks to be highly defensive, Banks will get his opportunity to prove to himself that he is capable of defending Garrett Wilson. The Giants hope he’s up to the task.
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