Kelvin Banks Jr. Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Tim Warner/Getty Images)

School: Texas

Class: Junior

Position: OT

HT: 6’4

WT: 325 lbs

Background: Kelvin Banks Jr. was a consensus 5-star offensive tackle in the 2022 graduating class. He was a top 30 prospect nationally and a top 3 offensive tackle. Out of Humble, Texas, Banks played football for Summer Creek High School. Banks was an all-district selection in all four years of high school and was named an All-American as a senior. After an illustrious high school career, Banks was selected to participate in the Under Armour All-America Game. Kelvin Banks committed to Texas over Texas A&M, Oregon, LSU, and others.

College: Banks proved himself as an immediate starter for Texas as a freshman, starting in all 13 games at left tackle for the Longhorns. Banks was named a Freshman All-American and a Second Team All-Big 12 selection. In 2023, Banks took another step of improvement and was named a Second Team All-American and First Team All-Big 12. He has had an incredibly consistent career, taking steps of improvement in every season. In his junior season, Banks was a First Team All-American. He was a key contributor to a Texas rushing attack that was still producing despite being down to third string running backs.

Strengths: Kelvin Banks Jr. is a stout left tackle who might be the most athletic player in the NFL Draft, pound for pound. Banks is able to finish assignments at the line of scrimmage effectively before moving to the 2nd level of the defense. Banks is the perfect lineman to be a lead blocker in the run game as he can move so well for his size. While Banks may be undersized, he gets low enough in his stance to consistently win the leverage battle and play at a good pad level. In pass protection, Banks plays above his weight class by absorbing any power rushes with a strong anchor. You will not see Banks get pushed back on film, he is hard to move once he has set his foundation. He can also beat speed by exploding out of his stance with a quick sidestep. Even if he is initially beaten, he has fantastic recovery speed to make up for it.

Weaknesses: While it has yet to be a problem for him, it will be worth monitoring how his height holds up at the tackle position. Against the bigger NFL edge rushers, he could lose too many leverage battles at the position. Additionally, Banks tends to rely heavily on his athleticism in open space and his technique seems to go out the window at times. He often loses balance or whiffs on punches. He will need to refine his technique in open space at the next level.

Conclusion: Kelvin Banks Jr. has been a dominant left tackle and has defied the odds. He wins his matchups in all facets of the game. He will need to prove that size is not an issue and if it is, he may be a candidate to play guard. However, if he has proven to be a top tackle in the country in the SEC, then he should at least get his chance at tackle in the NFL.

Scheme Fit: Gap Rushing Offense

Ideal Role: Left Tackle

Best Team Fits: SEA, SF, NE

Player Comparison: Rashawn Slater

Player Grade: Round 1 (95.3)