During the 2024 campaign, Kelvin Banks Jr. has been one of the Longhorns’ best players. On Wednesday, he received national recognition for his play when he was named a finalist for the 2024 Lombardi Award. Each year it is given to the top lineman in college football.
Since making his collegiate debut during the 2022 season, Banks has started 37 games and been an anchor in the offensive line. With Banks providing consistency, the Longhorns offense has been hard to stop. Entering Week 13, they rank ninth nationally in team passing efficiency, 12th in passing offense, and 13th in scoring offense.
As Banks has been at the center of the Longhorns’ success, he has also continued to add to his trophy case. He has been named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week twice and the Outland Trophy’s National Player of the Week once. Due to his play, the Summer Creek High School product has been a popular name in NFL Mock Drafts.
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While the Longhorns’ focus is on winning a national championship, Banks will also be looking to make history as his junior season winds down. Brian Orakpo, Tony Degrate, and Kenneth Sims are the only Longhorns to win the Lombardi Award.
Over the next few weeks, Banks will be a player to watch as he continues to make his case. The winner of the Lombardi Award will be announced on Dec. 11, and the Longhorns hope their star hears his name called.