Latest news with #Outland
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Aaron Donald named to 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot
Aaron Donald named to 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot Aaron Donald isn't eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame until 2029, but he could make another all-time list in 2026. But while Donald still has a few years before he can be enshrined in Canton for his NFL career, his college career could be recognized sooner. The former Pittsburgh Panthers star was named to the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot The 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted on Dec. 8, 2026. Donald dominated the college ranks during his time at Pitt. He was a 2013 unanimous First Team All-American and won the Bednarik, Lombardi, Nagurski and Outland trophies. He finished his time in college as Pitt's all-time tackles for a loss leader with 66. Donald added 29.5 sacks as well. The Los Angeles Rams took Donald with the No. 13 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He went on to make 10 Pro Bowl teams in his 10 NFL seasons, as well as eight All-Pro teams and three Defensive Player of the Year awards. Donald tallied 111 sacks in his NFL career.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kelvin Banks Jr. draft projections: NFL mock drafts, updated rankings for Texas OL
The NFL draft is a little more than 24 hours away and Texas football is set to unleash a bevy of picks onto the league. Perhaps the first of up to a dozen or more Longhorns to be drafted will be decorated offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. Banks Jr., a unanimous first-team All-American, still seems like a lock to be picked on the first day of the NFL draft, now the only question is how long will he wait. Advertisement Once seen a top-10 pick, experts vary in their predictions, with some seeing Banks falling as late as the early 30s. Yes, Banks has slid down a couple draft boards — going from the unanimous pick for the first tackle to be taken in the draft, to jockeying with LSU's Will Campbell and Missouri's Armand Membou for that claim. But if you want to hear his name called at Thursday's NFL draft, I suggest you don't tune in too late. MORE CEDDY: For Texas football prospects, path to NFL success doesn't stop after first round Banks had a 5.16-second 40-yard dash at the combine, which is a middling time for this year's class. His 20-yard shuttle time of 4.66 seconds placed a bit higher within the tackle group. He could be the first Longhorn at his position to go in the first round since Mike Williams went with the second overall pick to Buffalo in 2002. Banks was inserted into the lineup from the day he arrived from Humble Summer Creek. He started 39 consecutive games before an ankle injury incurred at Texas A&M on Thanksgiving weekend sidelined him for the SEC championship game loss to Georgia. Advertisement This season, he became the first player in program history to win both the Outland and Lombardi awards in the same season. Here's what to know about the standout Longhorn and how draft experts view his transition to the NFL: Kelvin Banks Jr. draft projections Jordan Reid, ESPN: No. 11 to the San Francisco 49ers Field Yates, ESPN: No. 11 to the 49ers Matt Miller, ESPN: No. 23 to the Green Bay Packers Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: No. 10 to the Chicago Bears Jeff Risdon, Draft Wire: No. 31 to the Kansas City Chiefs Dane Brugler, The Athletic: No. 27 to the Baltimore Ravens Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports: No. 10 to the Bears Advertisement Pro Football Network: No. 13 to the Miami Dolphins Tankathon: No. 11 to the 49ers Pro Football Focus: No. 17 to the Cincinnati Bengals Ryan Wilson, CBS: No. 9 to the New Orleans Saints Chris Trapasso, CBS: No. 18 to the Seahawks Mike Renner, CBS: No. 13 to the Miami Dolphins Josh Edwards, CBS: No. 13 to the Dolphins MORE CEDDY: Andrew Mukuba, Texas football's enforcer, relishes Clemson reunion | Golden Kelvin Banks Jr. bio Position: Offensive left tackle Age: 21 Hometown: Humble Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 325 pounds MORE BANKS: Why Texas football star LT Kelvin Banks Jr. should 'drive the Lambo' Advertisement MORE DRAFT: NFL scouting report for Texas A&M DE Nic Scourton Kelvin Banks Jr. positional rankings Longtime ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. had rated Banks the No. 10 prospect overall, regardless of position, and top tackle on his big board. But Banks has since slid down a bit. He's still seen as a consensus top-three offensive tackle in the draft. Here's where various scouting analysts and services rank Banks: Kiper: No. 13 prospect overall, No. 3 OT Jordan Reid, ESPN: No. 20 overall, No. 3 OT Matt Miller, ESPN: No. 8 overall, No. 1 OT Field Yates, ESPN: No. 13 overall, No. 2 OT Advertisement Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: No. 10 overall, No. 3 OT Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network: No. 27 overall, No. 3 OT Dane Brugler, The Athletic: No. 15 overall, No. 2 WR PFF: No. 22 prospect overall, No. 4 OT CBS: No. 9 prospect overall, No. 3 OT Kelvin Banks Jr. draft profile Banks did not complete all pre-draft workouts and drills. Arm length: 33½ inches Hand Size: 10⅜ inches 40-yard dash: 5.16 seconds 20-yard shuttle: 4.66 seconds 10-yard split: 1.79 seconds Three-cone drill: 7.81 seconds Broad jump: 8 feet, 8 inches Vertical: 32 inches Bench press: N/A Notes: Lombardi Award winner in 2024... allowed just three sacks through his first 37 games... Tabbed as an All-American by several different outlets... Was a consensus top-10 tackle prospect in the nation coming out of high school... Blocked for NFL running backs such as Jonathon Brooks and Bijan Robinson. Kelvin Banks Jr. scouting report Strengths: Great athleticism, particularly lateral movement in pass protection. Exceptional range as a blocker translates well to a zone scheme. Good hand usage allows him to win one-on-one matchups. Fluid mover who reacts well to counter moves. Advertisement Weaknesses: Balance in run blocking. Sometimes overextends at the point of contact. Struggles to maintain his base in pass protection by turning his shoulders. Needs to improve upper body strength. What Cedric Golden noticed: Banks can go a whole game without getting mentioned because he is so consistent at stoning opposing defensive ends. His athleticism leaps off the screen. Scouts are even more excited because he carries a frame that will occupy more muscle as he matures. Banks is a nice guy, but there's a dog behind that megawatt smile. He takes it personally when someone in an opposing uniform touches his quarterback. He understands the job and his own toughest critic. That will serve him well at the next level. NFL player comps: Austin Jackson, Miami Dolphins Kelvin Banks Jr. stats by season 2022: 13 games Advertisement 2023: 14 games, 985 snaps (550 pass-block snaps), 1 sack allowed, 10 QB hurries allowed (per Pro Football Focus) 2024: 15 games, 935 snaps (537 pass-block snaps), 1 sack allowed, 7 QB hurries allowed Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Get access to all of our best content with this tremendous offer. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Kelvin Banks Jr. scouting report: Where OT lands in NFL mock drafts
USA Today
02-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFC South team showing interest in former Longhorn Kelvin Banks Jr.
NFC South team showing interest in former Longhorn Kelvin Banks Jr. Although offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. has seen his stock decrease lately, there still could be a way for him to be a top-15 pick. He reportedly held a private workout last week with Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris, according to Brian Davis of the Austin-American Statesman. At the moment, Atlanta owns the 15th overall pick. The meeting was a promising sign for Banks, who was projected to be the No.31 pick by Mel Kipper in his mock draft on March 18. Kipper blamed inconsistencies and injury for the decline. While some may be down on Banks, he is still coming off an impressive career at Texas that included various awards. After missing the SEC Championship game against Georgia, Banks finished the season strong against Ohio State. With him in the lineup, Texas had one of the best offenses in football. He helped give Arch Manning and Quinn Ewers plenty of time in the pocket. Due to his play, the Texas native earned Lombardi, Outland, and Jackson Blocking Trophies. He also shined at the NFL Combine, where analyst Lance Zierlein said he saw Banks as a long-term starter. "Banks has the slide quickness to deal with speed, but he must become more proactive in attacking power rushers and long-limbed attackers to prevent them from dictating the terms. He needs to improve his anchor and hand placement, but he should become a long-time NFL starter at either tackle or guard," Zierlein wrote. With the NFL Draft only weeks away, many teams will be looking for a reliable offensive lineman. While the Falcons have made their interest known, Banks has the potential to be a really good player and should be on the draft board of multiple teams.
