Going off of résumés alone, no offensive lineman had a better 2024 season than Texas Longhorns offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
Among many other awards and recognitions, Banks finished as the Outland Trophy winner, marking him as the best lineman in college football on either side of the ball. If he can carry that level of success into the NFL, whichever team drafts him will be extremely happy.
Kelvin Banks Jr.’s Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 320 pounds
- Position: Offensive Tackle
- School: Texas
- Current Year: Junior
Banks’ Scouting Report
As a five-star recruit coming out of Humble, Texas, Banks generated significant interest from blue-blood programs for his play at Summer Creek High School. He originally committed to Oregon, but when Mario Cristobal departed from their head coaching job to go to Miami (FL), Banks changed his commitment to Texas.
Banks took over the Longhorns’ starting left tackle job as a true freshman, being named a freshman All-American in 2022. He gave up only two sacks in 405 pass-blocking snaps and earned second-team All-Big 12 recognition for his efforts.
In the 2023 season, Banks proved himself as one of the top offensive tackles in college football. He was named a first-team All-Big 12 lineman in Texas’ last season in the conference. He also earned a second-team All-American nomination, allowing just one sack in the process.
As the 2024 year approached, many tabbed Banks as a potential early-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft due to his performance in 2023. Though he set the bar high as an All-American as a true sophomore, he managed to surpass expectations in his junior year.
Having played in 13 games, he allowed just one sack and was named a unanimous All-American and a CSN second-team All-American. He won myriad awards, including the Outland Trophy, the Rotary Lombardi Award, and the Jacobs Blocking Trophy. He decided to skip his senior year and declare for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Strengths
- Three-year starter at a blue-blood program who is battle-tested against top competition.
- Athletic pass protector who changes direction well in space.
- Quick in his kick slide and has the redirect ability to mirror inside rushes across his chest.
- Blocks with a high motor and a nasty demeanor that sees him play to the whistle.
- Does a good job of generating bend in his lower half, maintaining a low center of gravity and ideal weight distribution at the point of attack.
- Showcases ideal temperance in his pass sets, taking precise steps to not overshoot his angles in pass protection.
- Controlled athlete climbing to the second level with loose hips in space.
- Maximizes what he has to work with in his anchor with ideal pad level, holding his own at the point of attack.
- Does a good job of rolling his hips through contact to seal off defensive ends in the run game.
- Maintains ideal churning activity in his legs when engaged with contact.
Weaknesses
- Has a tendency to lunge too often, which can affect his body control.
- Inconsistent strike placement can see him fail to maintain proper hand location at the point of attack.
- Prone to push-pull moves, and if he leans forward a bit too much, it’s easier for the opposition to exploit the length advantages they may have against him.
- Offers pretty solid play strength, but his grip strength isn’t where it needs to be quite yet.
- More of an offensive lineman who will absorb contact rather than dish it out.
- Issues with consistent hand usage get amplified at tackle, which could make him a better guard in the eyes of some at the next level.
Current Draft Projection and Summary
Banks has all the physical attributes needed to be a high-level starting offensive lineman at the NFL level.
He has the athletic traits that scouts drool over at the offensive tackle position. He’s a natural mover with quick feet and impressive short-area explosiveness. Thanks to his low center of gravity and determined mentality, he’s capable of driving defenders off the ball too.
The big issue with Banks revolves around how he uses his hands, which can affect his contact balance and make it tougher for him to maximize his physical attributes. Because of that, he could face somewhat of a learning curve against more polished NFL defenders.
Though Banks could slide inside at guard if needed, whichever team drafts him will probably keep him at offensive tackle. Because of his upside and the demeanor he plays with, he projects as a first-round pick who could end up selected as early as the first 10 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
