Tag: Kelvin Banks

49ers fill biggest offensive need in 2025 NFL mock draft

OL help is the 49ers top priority in this mock draft:

Finding help for quarterback Brock Purdy needs to be a priority for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2025 NFL draft.

However, that help doesn’t necessarily need to come in the form of weapons. Running back Christian McCaffrey figures to return at full strength. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk should return at some point next season. Tight end George Kittle is still an excellent player, wide receiver Jauan Jennings is having a breakout season and rookie WRs Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing will have another year to get acclimated to the offense.

The offensive line is a different story, and that’s where the 49ers get to work in the first round of a mock draft from Owain Jones at Pro Football Network. San Francisco at No. 17 overall selects Kelvin Banks Jr., a seasoned starting tackle from the University of Texas.

Via PFN:

Kelvin Banks Jr., a three-year starter at the University of Texas, is entering the NFL Draft with valuable experience and potential to secure the starting right tackle position in the Bay Area. As a talented athlete, he demonstrates fluid movement, effectively preventing agile pass rushers from getting around the edge.

However, to improve his draft stock and be considered a top-10 selection, he must refine his hand technique, enhance his footwork, and strengthen his lower body.

Finding a long-term answer at right tackle needs to be a priority for the 49ers in the offseason, and preferably that player would be one who could eventually swap over to the left side when Trent Williams decides to hang up his pads.

Banks has played left tackle his entire tenure with the Longhorns so moving to the right side would be an adjustment, but he has the physical tools to conceivably make the swap temporarily before moving back to his natural position in the post-Williams era.

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Texas-Michigan scouting preview: Big matchups to watch for the 2025 NFL Draft

Texas and Michigan each have many good 2025 NFL Draft prospects, and several will be facing off against one another in Saturday’s big matchup

One of the most anticipated college football matchups of the season will kick off on Saturday afternoon when the Texas Longhorns make their first-ever visit to the state of Michigan to play the host Wolverines in Ann Arbor. All 32 NFL teams are expected to be in attendance to watch the second-ever meeting between the two powerhouse programs, the only prior one coming in the 2005 Rose Bowl.

This one is a scouting bonanza, with several prominent 2025 NFL Draft prospects set to take the field against one another. Texas has 16 players featured on the preseason Senior Bowl watchlist. Michigan touts 14 on the same list.

Some of those top prospects will face off against one another on Saturday. Here’s some of the key draft scouting matchups to watch when Michigan and Texas get it on.

Isaiah Bond vs. Will Johnson

Two potential first-rounders square off on the outside with Bond, an Alabama transfer, coming off an impressive Texas debut. He caught five passes in the Longhorns’ romp over Colorado State, smartly working the middle of the field and showing off nice short-area quickness on the outside. Bond had no trouble getting open last week, though he did have one drop.

Johnson might be the best coverage corner in the country. His size, physicality and ball skills are all elite. Interestingly, Fresno State went at him a little and found some success early on comeback routes. Johnson made them pay with a game-sealing pick-six that showed his anticipation and closing burst, traits that have Johnson almost universally regarded as a top-15 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Bond’s quickness and spritely physicality for a smaller wideout make him a compelling challenge for Johnson.

Quinn Ewers vs. Rod Moore and Makari Page

Ewers is the man throwing the ball to Bond, and he looked very good in the opener. Going into the season, I had concerns about Ewers’ handling pressure and willingness to let it fly with his rifle of a right arm. He didn’t face much pressure, but against the Rams, I thought Ewers saw the field well and showed some chutzpah in staying with his best read.

Moore and Page are a seasoned safety tandem that comfortably works together. Moore is a potential Day 2 pick who considered declaring for the 2024 draft. Page is more of a Day 3 prospect but one with versatility, capable of playing deep coverage or lining up as a slot corner. They’re both smart and sleek in coverage, presenting a difficult test for Ewers as a pocket passer.

Ewers can also run a little, and that puts an onus on the Wolverines safeties to not abandon their responsibilities there, too. The Michigan interior DL tandem of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, both likely first-round picks in 2025, figure to flush Ewers out of the pocket. Ewers will tuck and run, but he does have the arm strength to unleash a deep throw outside the pocket too.

Kelvin Banks vs. Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore

Banks pitched a shutout at left tackle in Texas’ win over Colorado State, but Michigan brings two potential ’25 draftees to the pass rush party. Josaiah Stweart bagged two sacks in Michigan’s win over Fresno State, while Derrick Moore tallied five official QB pressures from PFF’s metrics.

Both Moore and Stewart move around the formation. That means Banks will face different styles and speeds of pass rushers in the game game, a great test for the potential first-rounder. For Moore, it’s an opportunity to show his game is growing by facing off against an accomplished blocker like Banks. Stewart, the better-regarded of the Wolverines prospects, needs to show he can handle Banks’ considerable size in the run game.

It figures to be a great atmosphere and scouting matchup for fans of any team to watch at noon on Saturday.

 

Does ESPN’s preseason All-American list disrespect the Texas Longhorns?

The Texas Longhorns have a grand total of one player on ESPN’s preseason All-American list.

ESPN has released its 2024 college football All-American team. How many Longhorns are on the list?

Texas was a college football semi-finalist last season. Texas has a Heisman Trophy candidate at QB. Texas is even picked by some in the national media to win the SEC and the national title. 

The 4th ranked Longhorns should be well represented, right?

Nope.

The Longhorns have a grand total of one player on the list – OT Kelvin Banks Jr. is a first-team All-American on the ESPN list. He’s the only Longhorn on the first team. There are zero Longhorns on the second team. 

Of Banks, ESPN says, “Both tackles on our All-America team have been starters since they were true freshmen. The 6-4, 320-pound Banks has started 27 straight games and been a fixture at left tackle for the Longhorns since the day he stepped on campus. He allowed just one sack in 550 pass-blocking situations last season and earned AFCA second-team All-America honors. Banks won’t have to wait long to hear his name called in the 2025 NFL draft.”

ESPN may be right on the money. Some of the Longhorns studs from 2023 have gone to the NFL. Byron Murphy, Xavier Worthy, T’Vondre Sweat, Jonathan Brooks and Adonai Mitchell would all be considered for the All-American team if they were still playing for Texas. Many of their positions have been filled by underclassmen or transfers. 

That said, you can make a good argument that QB Quinn Ewers should be second team All-American instead of Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel. It’s a close call. Similarly, PK Bert Auburn could be the second team kicker, but he was beaten out by Andres Borregales of Miami. Another close call. 

Once again, Texas players will have to prove to the national media that they are All-Americans. Longhorns like RB Jaydon Blue, WR Silas Bolden, DE Ethan Burke, LB Anthony Hill and DB Jahdae Barron could all be postseason All-Americans if their seasons, and Texas’ season, go as Longhorns fans hope. 

ESPN Preseason All-Americans by the Numbers: 

Georgia: 3 First Team | 1 Second Team

Alabama: 3 First Team | 1 Second Team

Michigan: 3 First Team | 0 Second Team

LSU: 2 First Team | 1 Second Team

Ohio State: 1 First Team | 4 Second Team

Oklahoma: 1 First Team | 0 Second Team

Oregon: 0 First Team | 2 Second Team 

Texas A&M: 1 First Team | 0 Second Team 

Tennessee: 1 First Team | 0 Second Team 

Notre Dame: 1 First Team | 0 Second Team 

Clemson: 1 First Team | 0 Second Team 

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Two Longhorns featured in ‘College Football 2025’ top 100 reveal

Two Texas Longhorns rated as Top 100 players in ‘College Football 25’

EA Sports is set to release ‘College Football 25’ on Jul. 16 after over a decade hiatus from NCAA-related video games. It is one of the most highly anticipated games of the last couple of years with social media already buzzing with excitement.

As part of the build up for the release, ‘College Football 25’ has released several cool features and teasers to help build the hysteria. EA Sports appears to have done a great job with the game including adding team traditions, tough road environments, and many other real-life factors.

The team rankings had been previously released, but ‘College Football 25’ just announced the Top 100 players in the game which features two Texas Longhorns. Quarterback Quinn Ewers is the No. 27 ranked player in the game and a 92 overall and offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. is the No. 13 ranked player with a 94 overall. It was a bit of a surprise to not see wide receiver Isaiah Bond on the list, but by the end of the year, he will likely be one of the more impactful players in the game.

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Two Longhorns to have a chance at being the No. 1 pick in 2025 NFL draft

Which two Texas players will have a chance to be the top pick in the 2025 NFL draft according to ESPN?

There is no greater honor in college football than winning the Heisman Trophy or being selected No. 1 overall in the NFL draft.

The Texas Longhorns are as storied of a program as any in all of college football, yet since the first NFL draft in 1936, only three former Longhorns have been top picks in the draft with Tommy Nobis in 1966, Earl Campbell in 1978, and Kenneth Sims in 1982.

However, ESPN NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid thinks that Texas may have their fourth top overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft as he breaks down the top options in the class (subscription required). Reid tabs QB Quinn Ewers as a serious contender with a 12% chance to go No. 1 while ranking OT Kelvin Banks Jr. as a potential riser with a 6% chance of being the top pick.

Quarterback Quinn Ewers

Ewers’ draft status is as intriguing as any with draft grades ranging from day one to day three, but there is no question he has as much raw talent as anyone in the country. After all, he was one of the highest-rated recruits of all time, and I think 2024 is the year he puts it all together. Reid argues his case as the top pick saying,

“Ewers came to Texas in 2022 with massive expectations and immediately took the starter reins. But an inconsistent 2023 season leaves him with a murky draft projection.

I’m hearing primarily late-Day 2 or even early-Day 3 grades from scouts right now, but it’s early. And considering he’s my QB3, he has to be in consideration for the top pick if he can piece together a really good prove-it season. The decision to return to school was the right one for Ewers, and he now gains another year of needed experience and tries to build on his positive moments shown last season.”

Offensive Tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.

Banks, on the other hand, may have a case as the best overall player in the country, but unfortunately, we are in a day and age where linemen rarely go in the top five of the draft. Banks would be the first linemen to go No. 1 overall since Central Michigan OT Eric Fisher was the top pick back in 2013. Reid says of Banks’ chances to be the top pick,

“Banks has been one of the more consistent linemen in the country. As the starter at left tackle since arriving on campus (1,788 total snaps), he has allowed only two sacks across two seasons.

At 6-foot-4 and 324 pounds, Banks is an overwhelming run-blocker, but it’s his movement skills that really set him apart from his counterparts in this class. His light feet can be a positive or a negative, though; while it allows him to stick on pass-rushers, he too often attempts to out-finess the opposition rather than trusting his technique. That gets him into trouble against more polished edge rushers.

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Trio of Longhorns land in 2025 NFL mock draft projection

ESPN’s Matt Miller projects three Texas players to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft

After having no players selected in the entire 2022 NFL draft, Steve Sarkisian has got the Texas Longhorns football program back on the right track in producing NFL-caliber talent.

Running back Bijan Robinson, defensive lineman Byron Murphy, and wide receiver Xavier Worthy have all been first-round NFL draft picks over the last two seasons. There have been 13 other former Longhorns being selected during that time.

The 2024 season will be Sarkisian’s fourth year on the Forty Acres and he has undoubtedly the best roster he’s had. Texas is widely regarded as a top-five team in the country with almost everyone projecting a second consecutive Playoff appearance for the Longhorns. It certainly helps that he’s gotten a few recruiting classes under his belt, but the transfer portal has also made it way easier to rebuild rosters.

Texas lost several key contributors from last year’s team, but they still have several NFL-caliber players. ESPN NFL draft expert Matt Miller projects three Longhorns to be first round draft picks in 2025.

The first Longhorn off the board will be OT Kelvin Banks as the No. 5 overall pick to the Washington Commanders as they begin building the offensive line for Jayden Daniels. Miller says of Banks,

“If the draft were tomorrow, we’d be talking about left tackle and edge rusher as massive needs for the Commanders. That could change between now and April, but general manager Adam Peters could definitely address the blind side of the line; Washington has to protect quarterback Jayden Daniels after allowing 65 sacks last season (tied for second most). Banks is a prototypical left tackle with a powerful 324-pound frame, and the junior has allowed just two sacks over his two full seasons starting for the Longhorns.”

The 2025 draft was loaded at the quarterback position, but every single year there is always a need for quarterbacks. As a third year starter and one of the highest recruits of all time, QB Quinn Ewers will have all eyes on him. Miller projects that the New Orleans Saints will end up taking Ewers No. 10 overall saying,

“The 2024 season will be crucial for the future of starting quarterback Derek Carr in New Orleans and perhaps provide a window into what the team has in rookie fifth-rounder Spencer Rattler. At this time, it doesn’t appear that either quarterback is the future here. Ewers has talent worthy of a first-overall pick heading into his third season as a starter at Texas. At 21 years old, he has to cut down on poor decisions during games, but his accuracy, mobility and arm strength are that of a future NFL starter. Ewers threw for 3,479 yards and 22 touchdown passes last season.”

Despite not yet playing a game in the burnt Orange, former Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond is viewed as one of the three or four best in CFB. With WR Tee Higgins seemingly headed out of town, Miller projects the Cincinnati Bengals to use the No. 25 pick on Bond saying,

“Tee Higgins may have signed his franchise-tag tender, but that doesn’t mean the Bengals have a long-term resolution yet for the talented WR2. The Bengals drafted Jermaine Burton to replace Tyler Boyd but could still have receiver high on the list of needs during the next draft. Bond, a transfer from Alabama, will fill the Xavier Worthy role in the Texas offense with his elite downfield speed. He averaged 13.9 yards per catch with four touchdowns last season, even as the Alabama offense struggled to find consistency in the pass game. And in Steve Sarkisian’s system, Bond has huge potential.”

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A pair of Longhorns selected in latest first round NFL mock draft

Pair of Longhorns being projected as first-round picks in 2025 NFL draft

The 2024 NFL draft wrapped up less than two months ago, and we still have nine weeks until the start of the 2024 season, but it is never too early to get yourself wound up with future draft talk.

After one of the most loaded quarterback classes in NFL history with six selected in the first 12 picks, the 2025 draft will be much more skill-player and offensive-line oriented.

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has had to rebuild the program from the ground up. The 2021 roster he inherited saw zero players selected in the 2022 NFL draft. Since then, it has been a gradual build for Sark with Bijan Robinson being the No. 8 overall selection in 2023 followed up with Byron Murphy No. 16 overall, and Xavier Worthy going No. 28 overall in 2024.

Heading into this upcoming season, the Longhorns are among the favorites to win a national championship after making their first-ever Playoff appearance a season ago. Texas will have one of the best rosters headlined by quarterback Quinn Ewers. Draft Wire’s 2025 NFL mock draft projects Ewers as a future first-round pick and offensive tackle Kelvin Banks.

Risdon projects that the New Orleans Saints will be drafting at No. 11 overall and will use that pick on Kelvin Banks saying,

“Back in Sean Payton’s salad days, the Saints were all about getting the best guards possible to assist Drew Brees in throwing the ball in the ways that were best for him. Now, Dennis Allen’s crew is just looking for a front five that works. The selection of Oregon State tackle Taliese Fuaga with the 24th overall pick in the 2024 draft helps, but there’s so much that’s still undefined along the line. Kelvin Banks Jr. would be a nice fit in New Orleans because he can play both guard and tackle, and he does it all with serious attitude. Last season for the Longhorns at left tackle, Banks allowed one sack and 12 total pressures in 550 pass-blocking snaps, and when it was time to hit the second level, Banks was looking to HUNT opponents.”

Later in the mock draft, Risdon projects that the New York Jets select Quinn Ewers at No. 22 overall as the heir to Aaron Rodgers’ throne saying,

“If the Jets are drafting this late, one of two things happened: Aaron Rodgers beat the odds in his age 41 season, or the defense was so good, Gang Green was able to transcend whatever was going on at quarterback. Either way, there is an eventual need for Rodgers’ replacement, especially if he becomes our next Vice President. With that in mind, and in a not-so-deep quarterback class, Texas’ Quinn Ewers is a safe, if not purely amazing, prospect.

There is a default need for quarterbacks who do everything well enough, and nothing really horribly, because not every NFL team is going to wind up with Patrick Mahomes. NFL teams make bets on those types of quarterbacks all the time. After Zach Wilson’s on-field inconsistencies, and Rodgers’ off-field inconsistencies, maybe the Jets just need a warm, safe place at the game’s most important position.”

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Three Texas Longhorns named preseason All-Americans by Phil Steele

This trio of Longhorns will be crucial for success in the SEC this season.

With the summer months upon us, Phil Steele once again has released his college football season preview magazine. It is chock full of analysis and nuggets for the upcoming year.

In what seems to be an annual tradition, we were interested to see where he projects several Texas Longhorns for his preseason All-American team. There were a trio of Horns on the list but not one came from the defensive side of the ball. They will have an opportunity to prove their worth in due time.

As for the three who were named, two play offense, and one is a special teamer.

Fourth-Team Quarterback: Quinn Ewers

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Texas starting quarterback Quinn Ewers checks in at No. 4 at quarterback and No. 3 in the SEC. Carson Beck of Georgia and Jalen Milroe of Alabama were the No. 1 and No. 2 quarterbacks with current Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel coming in at No. 3.

Ewers has yet to play a full season without injury. However, Ewers led the Horns to the College Football Playoffs and a Big 12 title in 2023. Texas looks to compete for the SEC title in 2024 as well as a return trip to the CFP. With a new set of receivers, it is important for QE to set the tone for the season against Colorado State and Michigan in the first couple of weeks.

Second-Team Offensive Tackle: Kelvin Banks

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Standout offensive tackle and likely top 10 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, Kelvin Banks was named to the second team. Oregon’s Ajani Cornelius and LSU’s Will Campbell took the top two spots. Banks is one of the major reasons for the success of the offensive line.

Banks and three other starters return from last year’s team that finished 12-2. He should pave the way for CJ Baxter and the rest of the backs as they join a loaded SEC that will test them.

Second-Team Kicker: Bert Auburn

Tim Warner/Getty Images

The lone special teamer to earn preseason praise is Bert Auburn, who is the second-team kicker behind Alabama’s Graham Nicholson. Auburn is more proven given that Nicholson wasn’t the Crimson Tide starter at placekicker last season.

Provided Auburn can continue converting kicks at the same rate, he should be among the finalists for the Lou Groza Award this upcoming season.

Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks has allowed just two QB hits since 2022

Kelvin Banks is one of the best in the country per Pro Football Focus.

The Texas Longhorns have one of the best offensive linemen in the country. Left tackle Kelvin Banks has been one of the top players at his position in two seasons of college football.

Per Pro Football Focus, Banks has only allowed two quarterback hits in 1,006 pass blocking snaps. The publication gives Banks a 84.7 grade over the two-year span.

There aren’t many offensive linemen graded better than Banks but an objective eye can see how good he is on the field. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers has been given more time to throw than past Longhorns quarterbacks and Banks is a huge reason for it.

The former five-star has lived up to his rating since taking over left tackle for Texas. Banks and center Jake Majors lead one of the most experience lines in the country in 2024, and there’s no better time to have a good offensive line than a first season in the SEC.

Banks will look to put a third good season on film this year for the 2025 NFL draft.

Texas ranked No. 3 nationally in pass blocking grade in 2023

Texas was one of the best pass blocking lines in college football last season.

The Texas Longhorns return one of the best pass blocking lines in the country. According to Pro Football Focus the team ranked No. 3 in the nation in its pass blocking grades.

The Longhorns line was given a 86.8 grade in pass blocking by the performance grading publication. The two higher graded lines were the Oregon Ducks (91.4) and the UTEP Miners (87.1).

Say what you will about what Texas loses at other positions. Expecting less than very good play from the Longhorns’ offensive line would be misguided. The team returns 83% of its offensive line snaps from a season ago, the most in the SEC.

Four starters return with Kelvin Banks, Hayden Conner, Jake Majors and DJ Campbell. High rep backup contributors are also back with Cole Hutson, Cam Williams and jumbo package tight end Malik Agbo.

Perhaps you’re putting two and two together. The majority of the line that excelled in keeping quarterback Quinn Ewers upright is back, and they’re probably going to be good again.

If the game of football isn’t won in the trenches, it is sometimes lost there. Texas’ returning experience and production at offensive line should be an advantage in 2024.