2022 has been a year of fresh faces for LSU, and another one will make his debut on Saturday night. Ohio State transfer cornerback [autotag]Sevyn Banks[/autotag] is expected to hit the field after recovering from an injury-riddled 2021.
Banks began 2021 with a knee injury and missed the final few games of the season with a hip. He transferred to LSU in the spring and has slowly been ramping up. Due to the options LSU has in the secondary, the coaches had no reason to rush him back.
Banks was available against Mississippi State, but did not play. New Mexico could provide a better opportunity to work the corner back in. Prior to the injuries, Banks was expected to have a big year in 2021. He was on watchlists and a preseason third-team All-American.
Kelly said that CB Sevyn Banks will play against New Mexico. Banks is a transfer from Ohio State. #LSU
— Leah Vann (@LVann_Sports) September 21, 2022
When Banks was on the field, he wasn’t targeted all that much. His 12.9 snaps/target was first among Big Ten corners who played 200 snaps or more. His 17.6 snaps/reception ranked third. He allowed just 9.1 yards per catch.
In 2020, Banks forced six incompletions, which ranked third among Big Ten cornerbacks.
Banks signed with Ohio State in 2018. He was a top-300 recruit and ranked as the 23rd cornerback in the class. If healthy, Banks is a good addition to LSU’s cornerback group. It’s a unit that has already impressed despite a slew of new faces.
[autotag]Mekhi Garner[/autotag] has been LSU’s most consistent corner, playing more snaps than [autotag]Jarrick Bernard-Converse[/autotag] and [autotag]Colby Richardson[/autotag].
LSU has played a few guys in the slot thus far. [autotag]Greg Brooks Jr.[/autotag] started the year there before swapping with [autotag]Jay Ward[/autotag], who is now LSU’s starting nickel back with Sage Ryan rotating in. Banks’ return shouldn’t affect the nickel rotation that much as Banks fits better on the outside.
LSU’s next two opponents, New Mexico and Auburn, leave a lot to be desired with the passing attack. However, Tennessee rolls to town on Oct. 8 and the LSU corners will need to have one of their better days, especially those guys on the outside.
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