Tampa Bay waives former Vols’ linebacker

Tampa Bay waives former Tennessee linebacker.

Former Vol linebacker Jeremy Banks was waived by Tampa Bay on Monday.

Banks was an undrafted free agent with the Buccaneers.

The 6-foot-1, 224-pound linebacker played at Tennessee from 2018-22. He appeared in 48 games, including 19 starts, for the Vols.

Banks recorded 219 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, three interceptions, 10 pass deflections, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery at Tennessee.

As a junior in 2021, he became the Vols’ first player with 100-plus tackles since 2015.

Banks also recorded 185 yards and three touchdowns on 52 rushing attempts. He totaled 10 receiving yards and one reception.

The former Vol came to Tennessee from Cordova High School in Cordova, Tennessee.

PHOTOS: A look at Jeremy Banks through the years

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Tennessee football’s free agent signings tracker after 2023 NFL draft

Tennessee football’s free agent signings tracker after the 2023 NFL draft.

The 2023 NFL draft was held Thursday-Saturday in the plaza outside of Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.

Five former Vols were selected in the 2023 NFL draft.

Tennessee football’s 2023 NFL draft picks:

Round 1 (No. 10 overall), Darnell Wright, offensive line, Chicago Bears
Round 3 (No. 68 overall), Hendon Hooker, quarterback, Detroit Lions
Round 3 (No. 73 overall), Jalin Hyatt, wide receiver, New York Giants
Round 3 (No. 74 overall), Cedric Tillman, wide receiver, Cleveland Browns
Round 3 (No. 77 overall), Byron Young, edge rusher, Los Angeles Rams

Following the 2023 NFL draft, 384 Tennessee players have been selected all time, dating to 1936.

Below are Tennessee players who were not selected in the 2023 NFL draft and signed undrafted free agent contracts.

2023 NFL draft Day 3: Jeremy Banks listed as Vols’ best available player

2023 NFL draft Day 3: Jeremy Banks listed as the Vols’ best available player

The 2023 NFL draft is taking place Thursday-Saturday in the plaza outside of Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.

The first round of the 2023 NFL draft was held Thursday, while the second and third rounds were Friday. The final four rounds are slated for Saturday (noon EDT).

ESPN released best available players entering the final day of the 2023 NFL draft.

Tennessee inside linebacker Jeremy Banks is listed as the 125th best available player remaining on Day 3. Banks is listed as the 15th best player at his position.

The 6-foot-1, 232-pound linebacker played at Tennessee from 2018-22.

Banks ended his Tennessee career with 219 total tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, three interceptions, 10 pass breakups and three touchdowns.

PHOTOS: Jeremy Banks through the years

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2023 NFL draft: Vols’ best available players for Day 2

A look at the five best available former Vols and where they rank for Day 2 of the 2023 NFL draft.

The 2023 NFL draft is taking place Thursday-Saturday in the plaza outside of Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.

Round 1 of the 2023 NFL draft was held Thursday.

One former Vol was selected in the first round. Offensive lineman Darnell Wright was drafted No. 10 overall by Chicago.

Rounds 2-3 will be held Friday (7 p.m. EDT), while rounds 4-7 are slated for Saturday (noon EDT).

PHOTOS: A look at former Vols at the NFL draft through the years

Ahead of Day 2 of the 2023 NFL draft, ESPN released best available players remaining to be selected.

Five former Vols were named by ESPN and are listed below.

Tennessee LB Jeremy Banks taking top-30 visit with Chiefs

The #Chiefs have an athletic linebacker prospect in town for a top-30 visit.

The Kansas City Chiefs continue to host draft-eligible prospects on top-30 visits leading up to the 2023 NFL draft. The latest to come and visit team facilities at 1 Arrowhead Dr. is an athletic linebacker from the SEC.

Tennessee LB Jeremy Banks was in Kansas City for his top-30 visit on Tuesday. Banks was originally recruited as a running back, which he played during his Freshman year with the Volunteers to the tune of 52 carries for 185 yards and three touchdowns.

As a sophomore in 2019, he began making the switch to linebacker and appeared in four games. He recorded two interceptions in a game against Chattanooga that season. He’d go on to appear in 31 games at linebacker over the next three seasons, posting a career year in 2021 with 128 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four passes defended and one interception.

The 6-foot-1, 232-pound linebacker participated in the East-West Shrine Game and the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. His vertical (37.5), broad jump (10-3), short shuttle (4.38s), and 40-yard dash (4.53s) all ranked within the top 10 in his position group.

Chiefs fans are probably looking at the team’s linebacker room and asking themselves, “Why are they bringing in a linebacker for a top-30 visit?”

Remember, these are part of the pre-draft fact-finding mission. Banks is a player who had some serious off-field concerns during his time at Tennessee. You can rest assured that the Chiefs are working to get to the bottom of those issues and determine whether a player like Banks would be a cultural fit in Kansas City.

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Breaking down Eagles picks in seven-round mock draft from ESPN’s Jordan Reid

We’re breaking down the latest seven-round 2023 NFL mock draft from ESPN’s Jason Reid that landed Philadelphia Nolan Smith and three other defenders

The 2023 NFL draft is fast approaching, and as all 32 teams across the league increase their focus, scouts within the organization are doing their due diligence on all prospects.

Thanks to some draft night wizardry from Howie Roseman, the Eagles traded the No. 16 overall pick, No. 19 overall pick, and a 2022 sixth-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for the No. 18 overall pick, a 2022 third-round pick, a 2022 seventh-round pick, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick.

Philadelphia has a Super Bowl-caliber offense and needs to reload on defense.

ESPN’s Jason Reid released his latest seven-round mock draft, and we break down all six picks.

Connect the dots: Chargers’ coaching staff links to 2023 NFL draft prospects

These Chargers coaches have directly coached or recruited at least one 2023 prospect.

As the NFL continues to hire assistant coaches from the college ranks, familiarity with prospects is at an all-time high.

Some coaches and front office members just have schools they like: general manager Tom Telesco favors Notre Dame, head coach Brandon Staley likes Georgia, etc.

But other members of the Chargers staff have experience with a number of prospects in this year’s class, and connections could drive a potential selection in April’s draft.

These Chargers coaches have directly coached or recruited at least one 2023 prospect.

PHOTOS: Former Vols at the 2023 NFL scouting combine

PHOTOS: A look at former Vols at the 2023 NFL scouting combine

Seven former Vols participated in the 2023 NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Quarterback Hendon Hooker, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, wide receiver Cedric Tillman, offensive tackle Darnell Wright, edge rusher Byron Young, linebacker Jeremy Banks and punter Paxton Brooks were the seven representatives for Tennessee.

Young earned NFL scouting combine top performer honors from USA TODAY after ranking top-two among edge rushers in multiple drills. Banks was named to the 2023 All-Combine Team for NFL.com, while Wright was named an honorable mention.

Hyatt posted the best broad jump (11’3″) among all wide receivers and ranked third-best among all participants at the 2023 NFL scouting combine. His 4.40-second 40-yard dash was top-15 among all positions at the NFL scouting combine.

Below are photos of the seven former Tennessee players at the 2023 NFL scouting combine.

PHOTOS: Jeremy Banks through the years

PHOTOS: A look at Jeremy Banks through the years

Jeremy Banks played linebacker at Tennessee from 2018-22.

Banks ended his Tennessee career with 219 total tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, three interceptions, 10 pass breakups and three touchdowns.

He signed with Tennessee as a running back and switched to linebacker before the 2019 season. He rushed for 185 yards and three touchdowns as a true freshman in 2018.

Banks ranked second in the Southeastern Conference with 128 total tackles in 2021. He became the first Vols’ player since 2012 to finish with 100-plus tackles in a season. Banks’ 69 assisted tackles rank sixth for a single-season in Tennessee history.

He was named as the Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week against Alabama in 2022. Banks also became the first Vol with 20-plus tackles in a bowl game since 1984, recording 20 tackles in the Music City Bowl against Purdue.

Below are photos of Banks through the years.

2023 NFL scouting combine: Jeremy Banks by the numbers

2023 NFL scouting combine: Former Vol Jeremy Banks by the numbers

Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks began on-field testing at the 2023 NFL scouting combine on Thursday.

Banks measured in at 6-foot-1, 232-pounds, 9 1/2-inch hands and 32-inch arms.

He recorded a 37.50-inch vertical jump, which was the second-best number among linebackers. Former Vols, Byron Young and Banks, produced the second and fourth-best vertical jump on Thursday of the 59 overall participants.

Banks posted the third-best broad jump among linebackers with a 10’7″ official measurement. He also had the third-best 20-yard shuttle among linebackers (4.38 seconds).

The former Vol also posted the eighth-best 40-yard dash time among linebackers (4.53 seconds). Banks’ 10-yard split of 1.56 seconds was the tenth-best number in his positional group.

The final drill at the 2023 NFL combine for Banks will be the bench press tomorrow.

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