Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas: 2025 NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Banks was a five-star recruit from Summer Creek High School in Houston, Texas in the class of 2022

Texas Longhorns left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. is being hyped up as a top ten pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but his tape hasn’t reached that level. The former Freshman All-American is too inconsistent to earn a true first round evaluation this summer.

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Kelvin Banks Jr., LT Texas: 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Junior left tackle from Humble, Texas

Background: Banks was a five-star recruit from Summer Creek High School in Houston, Texas in the class of 2022. He was the No. 33 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 65 (four-star) for Rivals, and No. 22 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 33rd in the nation with an 87 grade out of 100 (four-star). Banks originally committed to Oklahoma State before flipping to Oregon and then Texas. In 2021, he was the District 21-6A Offensive Player of the Year and anchored an offensive line that helped Summer Creek run for 310 yards per game on its way to a 10-4 season. Banks was a First Team All-District selection four times and earned an invitation to the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game.

Injuries & Off-Field: Suffered minor lower body injury in 2022 fall camp, exited 2023 Kansas State game with an injury but didn’t miss a game

Awards: 2022 Second Team All-Big 12, 2022 Honorable Mention Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, 2022 Honorable Mention Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, 2022 FWAA Freshman All-American, 2022 College Football News First Team Freshman All-American, 2023 First Team All-Big 12, 2023 Honorable Mention Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, 2023 AFCA Second Team All-American

Pros: Room to stack weight in lower half, smooth kick slide, quick hands to establish clamp, latched and sustained pass pro blocks vs. Bralen Trice (2023), engulfs defenders attempting to enter half-man relationships, flashes of excellent framing helping him to drive defenders up and around the arc, consistently guided Dallas Turner around the pocket (2023), stays in front of spin moves, sturdy base saved him from a Justin Eboigbe push-pull (2023), matched and ate Bralen Trice’s power well (2023), recognizes and picks up stunts, flashes of leg drive displacing or flattening 3-techs and 4-techs, comfortable climbing to establish second level blocks, speed and movement skills to pull on gap runs

Cons: Penalized six times in 2023, frame is a little squat for a traditional tackle, a little high-hipped, arm length is good but short of elite, inconsistent pad level, inconsistent balance in pass pro, chest frequently extends over his knees with waist bending, balance routinely exposed by pull moves, allows too much access to his chest, initial strike with outside hand is wide, would benefit from more independent hand usage, put on skates by Austin Booker (2023) several times, demolished by an Austin Booker inside spin move (2023), footwork on vertical sets can be flat and choppy, feet occasionally stall on contact, lets footwork break down too quickly when he feels pressured up the arc, lateral agility fades quickly near the top of the arc, hip angle at the arc’s peak allows defenders to flatten rush and penetrate the pocket, lunging leads to him sliding off some run blocks, loses to swim moves in the run game, consistently off balance and unable to mirror Kansas defenders in the run game (2023), not a consistent finisher in the run game, on the ground or stumbling too often

Overview: Banks has more than 1,800 offensive snaps exclusively at left tackle two years into his career. His frame is shorter and squatter than many traditional tackles, and he has room to stack weight in his lower half. Banks is slightly high-hipped and has good but not elite arm length. He starts plays with a smooth kick slide and quick hands that establish a sudden clamp. Banks engulfs defenders who enter half-man relationships. He showcased his ability to latch and sustain blocks against Washington’s Bralen Trice (2023). Banks has flashes of elite framing that help him drive defenders up and around the arc. He consistently guided Dallas Turner harmlessly around the pocket (2023). The junior plays with an inconsistent pad level and inconsistent balance in pass protection. His chest frequently extends over his knees as he bends at his waist. Banks’ balance was routinely challenged or defeated by pull moves. His hands land too wide and allow defenders free access to his chest. He needs to incorporate more independent hand usage into his pass sets. Banks matched Bralen Trice’s power well in the College Football Playoff but was put on skates by Austin Booker multiple times (2023). He also lost badly to a Booker spin move. Banks’ footwork on vertical sets can be flat and choppy, and his feet occasionally stall on contact. The Texas native’s footwork breaks down too quickly when he begins feeling pressured up the arc. His lateral agility fades quickly near the top of the arc, and his hip angle that far upfield allows defenders to flatten their rush angles and penetrate the pocket. Banks drew six penalties in 2023. The former Freshman All-American recognizes and picks up stunts quickly. In the run game, his leg drive has flashes of displacing or flattening 3-techs and 4-techs. He’s comfortable climbing to establish second level blocks and has the speed and movement skills to pull on gap runs. Banks lunges into blocks, which leads to him slipping off defenders. He loses to swim moves in the run game and was consistently off balance and unable to mirror Kansas’ defenders in the run game (2023). Banks isn’t a consistent finisher in the run game and ends up stumbling or on the ground too often.

Overall, Banks’ incredible highs are equaled by his incredible lows, which define his game as a developing and inconsistent left tackle. His balance is a significant area of concern, and his hand usage and anchor still need plenty of work. Banks flashed dominant wins against high level competition in 2023, but it’s hard to ignore just how poorly he played against Kansas. He currently isn’t on the level of a top-15 prospect.

Role & Scheme Fit: Left tackle in an inside zone or gap scheme

Round Grade: Second Round

Size: 6'4", 324 lbs. (Unofficial)

Submitted: 05-13-24