Tag: Pro Football Focus college

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.

On3 Sports ranks the top available players in the transfer portal

Former Longhorns Brenen Thompson and Byron Vaughns are among the top 10 players available in the transfer portal.

The post-spring round of the transfer portal has produced quality free agents across the country. Many of those players are tied to the state of Texas and the Big 12 conference.

On3 Sports ranked the Top 10 best available players in the transfer portal on Wednesday. There are several familiar names.

Georgia defensive tackle Bear Alexander leads the way after starting on the Bulldogs’ national championship winning team last season. Alexander was high school teammates with three Longhorns at Denton Ryan High School, but we don’t expect Texas to win his recruitment.

Texas transfer wide receiver Brenen Thompson and former Texas defender Byron Vaughns make the cut. It’s uncertain if Texas burnt the bridge with Vaughns or if both parties would consider a reunion. Nevertheless, the productive edge rusher should be one of the more popular transfers remaining.

TCU transfer receiver Jordan Hudson and former Cincinnati linebacker Jaheim Thomas depart their respective Big 12 squads in what could be huge losses for both teams.

Here’s a look at On3 Sports’ top available players in the transfer portal at this time.

Is any Notre Dame quarterback on Pro Football Focus’ top 50 list?

Which quarterback would you choose?

Heading into the 2022 season, the biggest question mark for the Fighting Irish is who will be the starting quarterback. Gone from last year’s team is graduate transfer [autotag]Jack Coan[/autotag], who toward the end of the year really found his stride and made the Irish offense look much more capable.

During the season, both of his backups, [autotag]Tyler Buchner[/autotag] and [autotag]Drew Pyne[/autotag], had considerable looks behind center. Each had bright moments. Although [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] has not yet named his starter for the season opener against Ohio State, the presumption is Buchner will take the first snaps against the Buckeyes.

Although this doesn’t confirm the fact that Buchner is the most likely candidate, Pro Football Focus named its top 50 quarterbacks heading into the season and the rising sophomore was ranked 46th.

Buchner is ranked behind former Irish quarterback [autotag]Phil Jurkovec[/autotag], who transferred to Boston College, making everyone wonder what if he had stuck around for his opportunity this season. Either way, Buchner has plenty of room to rise on this list by season end. He was a top-100 prospect coming out of high school.

A big part of Notre Dame’s season will hinge on his play, or potentially Pyne’s or even true freshman [autotag]Steve Angeli[/autotag], depending on injuries and effectiveness. The most important position in football, and arguably all of sports, will need to step up for the Irish this fall.

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