The transfer portal action is still hot and heavy despite the closing of the undergraduate window on Jan. 2. Billy Napier and his Florida football staff have already been hitting the de facto free agency system hard and do not appear to be letting off the gas just yet.
One of the top remaining defensive back targets in the portal, former South Alabama Jaguars safety [autotag]Yam Banks[/autotag], is expected to arrive at the end of the week in Gainesville, according to Swamp247.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 208-pound defender amassed 46 tackles — including 5.5 tackles for losses and a sack — in 2023 while recording a trio of quarterback hurries and pass breakups. Banks also added an interception along with a forced fumble in his 13 games played.
Those numbers might be enough to crack the NFL draft board but the four-year veteran decided to remain in college for his final year of eligibility.
“I wanted to up my draft stock by playing in a bigger conference,” Banks told 247Sports.
“Some priorities I’m looking for in a new school is for them to utilize my skill sets as much as they can,” he added.
The Ridgeland, Mississippi, product played in a total of 45 games during his collegiate career so far, earning All-Sunbelt honors in his last two campaigns. A step up to the SEC could help put some polish on potential pro-level talent.
Banks is a four-star transfer portal player according to the 247Sports transfer rankings, coming in at No. 120 overall while sitting at No. 6 at his position. On3 gives the Gators a 100% chance of signing the former Jaguar.
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