5 things to know about Saints first round draft pick Kelvin Banks Jr.

USA Today

25-04-2025

5 things to know about Saints first round draft pick Kelvin Banks Jr.
There was some thought the New Orleans Saints could have moved down in the 2025 NFL draft, but they didn't budge. The Saints stood pat, surveyed the field, and picked one of the best players in the entire draft class. But why are we so high on Kelvin Banks Jr.? The former Texas Longhorns left tackle is a highly-regarded prospect whose presence will allow the Saints to field their five best offensive linemen, wherever they might be deployed to play their best.
And he has some stories to tell. Here's what you need to know about Kelvin Banks Jr.:
1. He's an award winner
Banks racked up the accolades at Texas. He was an All-American in each of his three years at Austin and won both the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy (presented to the best offensive or defensive lineman in college football), as well as the Jacobs Blocking Trophy (awarded to the SEC's best blocker) in 2024. That says a lot about not just his skills, but his work ethic and the recognition he's earned as a leader for the Longhorns.
2. He's a two-time captain, too
Speaking of leadership? Banks was twice selected as a team captain at Texas, first as a sophomore in 2023 and again as a junior in 2024. He's someone coaches have often pointed to as a high-character pillar of the locker room. Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has been effusive in praise for his former left tackle. He's been quoted repeatedly this spring as having told younger players "if you want to be great, be like Kelvin Banks."
3. But he hasn't been blocking for as long as you'd think
Banks grew up playing a lot of different sports, but while he was in youth football since he was just 4 years old, he mainly played quarterback and halfback. He remained at the skills positions until his freshman year of high school. A year later he was starting on varsity in 2019. Then he rocketed up the recruiting boards. He's been playing left tackle ever since, but his clean and consistent pass protection technique would have you thinking he's spent more than seven years in his stance.
4. Banks learned a whole lot in a little bit of time
How's this for a combination of age and experience? Banks just turned 21 on March 10, making him one of the youngest players in the NFL this season. But he started all 42 games he played at Texas, totaling almost 2,800 snaps in his college career. Even if he's young, Banks is hardly raw. He was a key piece of several College Football Playoff teams and will bring that valuable experience to New Orleans, whether he stays at left tackle or slides inside to left guard.
5. And he's been playing for his family
Few guys have the kind of motivation that's powered Banks to success. Last September he opened up about his personal life in an outstanding feature with Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger, where Banks shared details about his mother Monica's life-threatening medical issues. With his father "Big Kelvin" supporting the family as a commercial big rig driver and Banks away at college, he poured himself into his craft. Now he's reached the sport's highest level of competition, and he knows his family is cheering him on.