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Former Florida football defensive tackle Caleb Banks was listed as an NFL combine winner by USA TODAY Sports' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz in his breakdown of the biggest winners and losers from the 2026 NFL scouting combine.
For a player who appeared in only two games last season, that kind of attention says plenty about the impression he left.
Banks checked in at 6-foot-6-inches and 327 pounds, but his explosiveness is what turned heads. Middlehurst-Schwartz highlighted Banks' 9-foot-6-inch broad jump and 32-inch vertical leap — rare numbers for a defensive tackle with that kind of size. The workout didn't last long, as Banks shut things down early because of cleat discomfort, but by that point, evaluators had seen enough.
Middlehurst-Schwartz noted there are still concerns about his leverage, block deconstruction and tackling consistency. But the athletic profile is undeniable, and in a draft class where teams are constantly searching for interior disruptors, Banks offers something few others do.
Even in limited action, Banks flashed the kind of first-step burst that offensive linemen struggle to handle. The challenge at the next level will be refining the details to match the physical traits.
Here is everything Middlehurst-Schwartz said about Banks.
"It probably wasn't necessary for Banks to congregate with his fellow defensive tackles to know that the 6-foot-6, 327-pounder wasn't quite like any of them. Still, there's something to be said for the impression Banks made after missing all but two games last season. His unique explosion was evident in his 9-6 broad jump and 32-inch vertical leap.
"Banks' day came to an early end due to cleat discomfort, but it probably wasn't necessary for him to prove much more about his body. There are still significant questions about his leverage, block deconstruction and tackling. But while his future coaching staff will need to polish his finishing touch and other portions of his game, it's clear that no other interior defender poses quite the problems Banks does right off the ball."
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Former Florida football DT Caleb Banks is an NFL combine winner
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For a player who appeared in only two games last season, that kind of attention says plenty about the impression he left.
Banks checked in at 6-foot-6-inches and 327 pounds, but his explosiveness is what turned heads. Middlehurst-Schwartz highlighted Banks' 9-foot-6-inch broad jump and 32-inch vertical leap — rare numbers for a defensive tackle with that kind of size. The workout didn't last long, as Banks shut things down early because of cleat discomfort, but by that point, evaluators had seen enough.
Middlehurst-Schwartz noted there are still concerns about his leverage, block deconstruction and tackling consistency. But the athletic profile is undeniable, and in a draft class where teams are constantly searching for interior disruptors, Banks offers something few others do.
Even in limited action, Banks flashed the kind of first-step burst that offensive linemen struggle to handle. The challenge at the next level will be refining the details to match the physical traits.
Here is everything Middlehurst-Schwartz said about Banks.
What USA TODAY Sports said about Banks
"It probably wasn't necessary for Banks to congregate with his fellow defensive tackles to know that the 6-foot-6, 327-pounder wasn't quite like any of them. Still, there's something to be said for the impression Banks made after missing all but two games last season. His unique explosion was evident in his 9-6 broad jump and 32-inch vertical leap.
"Banks' day came to an early end due to cleat discomfort, but it probably wasn't necessary for him to prove much more about his body. There are still significant questions about his leverage, block deconstruction and tackling. But while his future coaching staff will need to polish his finishing touch and other portions of his game, it's clear that no other interior defender poses quite the problems Banks does right off the ball."
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Former Florida football DT Caleb Banks is an NFL combine winner
Continue reading...
