Florida’s Caleb Banks turns heads at the Senior Bowl

ByNBAUSA


One NFL draft hope powers its way to the boards. Florida football defensive lineman Caleb Banks is using the Senior Bowl to boost his stock.

His internship work down in Mobile, Ala., will turn heads.

Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post captured footage of Banks’ powerful explosion and penetration on screen. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound big moves quickly and around his solo block while on downs.

That’s not all from Banks — as he slides past Auburn’s 6-foot-5, 338-pound Jeremiah Wright.

Finally, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller called Banks’ Thursday “breakout party” kind of day. Which is now fueling theories that Banks will move up the draft board.

Teams that may reach out to Florida DL Caleb Banks in the NFL Draft

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) is pressed by Florida Gators defensive end Caleb Banks (88) during the third quarter of an NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Georgia defeated Florida 43-20.
Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union/USA TODAY NETWORK/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Banks entered 2025 as a major sleeper talent who wasn’t a quarterback. He displays rare and unusual athleticism as one of the top prospects in the draft class.

He showed the same explosion on Senior Bowl Saturdays in the fall — exploding after snaps in one-gap assignments. Banks defeated enemies with a combination of powerful arms and quick feet.

The Gator brings an imposing frame that could make centers cringe facing him as a nose tackle zero. Still, he brings speed that leads to defensive coordinators/coaches envisioning him as a three.

Florida found a way to improve his arm timing when dealing with blockers. Banks improved on arm shots that rattled and then shocked offensive linemen.

NFL teams looking for help on the interior will be watching Banks during this draft process. The Chicago Bears emerge as one, as the team ranks 27th against the streak.

Kansas City also looks like another big suitor – especially with Chris Jones aging. The AFC West’s fellow Las Vegas Raiders also need some IDL help after ranking 30th in touchdowns allowed.

But the Cincinnati Bengals need the most help on defense, as they fell to 32nd last season.





2026-01-30 02:33:00

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