Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. Photo credit: David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
With the 2025 NFL Draft drawing closer, one player generating top-10 buzz is Texas Longhorns offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. A three-year starter, Banks has consistently held his own against top-tier competition, showcasing pro-ready run-blocking skills, strong technique, and impressive athleticism. While Banks has been a mainstay at left tackle, his skill set offers the versatility to also excel at offensive guard. But whether as an OT or OG, Banks’ tools and experience make him a plug-and-play starter at the next level.
In this article, we’ll highlight Banks’ background, collegiate achievements, and combine results, while also breaking down his strengths and weaknesses as a draft prospect.
Background
Born and raised in Texas, Banks has always been connected to his home state. The 6-foot-5 315-pound talent started out at Summer Creek High School where he gained five-star status. Texas was immediately on his tail but he chose Oregon. However, when head coach Mario Cristobal left, Banks flipped his commitment to Texas.
Collegiate Accolades
A top 10 overall prospect nationally, Banks immediately became important for the Longhorns, earning Freshman All-American honors. He was also named Second-team All-Big 12 Conference. In his sophomore year, he earned a spot on the First-team All-Big 12. Banks continued improving, earning several awards and honors before calling it a wrap in college. Among them were the Outland Trophy as the best interior lineman in college football and the Lombardi Award. He also won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, alongside Louisiana State’s Will Campbell. In addition, Banks was named First-team AP All-American and First-team All-SEC.
Scouting Report Summary
Banks has a wealth of experience as a blindside blocker. He’s got a solid, well-balanced frame and rarely loses control, thanks to his light feet, strong base, and overall strength and stability. He is a physical and tough guy with an impressive ability to clear reliable running lanes. He moves like a tight end and hits like a truck. When it’s time to dig in, he flat-out owns the trenches. As good as he is in the run game though, there’s still room to grow in pass protection.
He has the quick feet and awareness to handle speed off the edge but he’ll need to improve his anchor. He occasionally tends to bend at his hip, and this can cause him problems against more skilled pass rushers. He uses his arms quite well, maintaining control and effectiveness on the outside. However, most NFL offensive tackles have arm lengths of 34 inches or longer, which could create some bias against his viability at the position. However, his natural leverage and explosive power almost guarantee success at guard. But wherever he finds himself, his mental processing and natural understanding of angles give him the potential to become great.
Strengths
Impressive first-step quickness: Banks plays with good initial quickness, which allows him to climb, reach, and seal off backside pursuit. He keeps his feet active, driving through down blocks for consistent movement.
Excellent footwork and pass protection technique: Banks avoids oversetting, maintaining strong body control and preventing inside lanes from opening up. His feet stay quick and responsive, allowing him to smoothly adjust and mirror counter movements during pass sets.
Good punch range: Banks demonstrates awareness of his punch range, using his hands effectively to disrupt rushers and maintain control.
Weaknesses
Struggles to sustain blocks: Banks sometimes struggles to sustain blocks, even when running his feet on contact. This inconsistency limits his ability to dominate in the run game.
Opens his hips too early: Banks occasionally exposes the quarterback’s angle by prematurely opening his hips, thereby allowing defenders to gain leverage and create pressure on the passer.
Balance issues when leaning: When Banks leans too far forward in his stance, he often loses balance, making it difficult for him to recover and maintain control against quick rushers.
Shorter arm length: With 33½-inch arms, Banks’ reach falls short compared to longer-framed defenders.
NFL Combine Results
| Height | Weight | Arm Length | Hand Span | 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Split | 20-Yard Shuttle | Three-cone Drill | Vertical Jump | Broad Jump |
| 6 ft 5⅛ in(1.96 m) | 315 lb(143 kg) | 33½ in(0.85 m) | 10⅜ in(0.26 m) | 5.16 s | 1.79 s | 4.66 s | 7.81 s | 32.0 in(0.81 m) | 8 ft 8 in(2.64 m) |
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