Gators’ Defensive Tackle Caleb Banks is Coming on Strong

The first three games of the 2024 season were rough for University of Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks.

I had looked at where he was ranked on the consensus draft media board on the NFL Mock Draft Database, and I reviewed those first three games; I wasn’t seeing it. Banks was ranked No. 20 overall in the first round.

Banks looked soft.

I didn’t get it.

Even against Samford, he didn’t stand out.

I was “killing him” in my notes.

Then the fourth game happened.

This was the game against UCF, and there was one play in particular. I was blown away. UCF was back on its heels close to its own endzone. The quarterback had dropped back into the endzone, and Banks drove their left guard into next week.

Okay.

Banks had my attention.

Double teams

One thing I noticed right off the bat was that Banks got double-teamed a lot. Even before the UCF game, this was my first clue, and this trend continued throughout the season.

Teams RESPECT Banks’ raw brute power.

Even though Banks was a rotational defensive lineman, I ended up chicken scratching 71 double-team blocks he faced when pass rushing and 18 double-team blocks on running plays.

That’s how much teams RESPECT what Banks can do to grown offensive linemen.

* and there is value in how many double-teams he draws because it frees up other players to make plays.

Game-changing ability

Then the LSU game happened on Nov. 16, and that’s when I really began to see his upside.

Banks’ breakout game.

He was a force to be reckoned with. Pro Football Focus (PFF) confirmed what I was seeing on film by giving Banks his highest grade of the season in this game (77.4).

It wasn’t in every play this game or in the games that followed, but Banks is showing he’s capable of wrecking a handful of plays in the games.

Unpolished

The scary part is that Banks looks raw on game film. He looks like a kid on Christmas morning, figuring out how to play with his toolbox of pass-rushing moves.

PFF Stats:

• 21 hurries
• 4 sacks

Down the stretch of the Gators’ schedule, it appeared he was figuring out better how to split double teams, how to use leverage more to his advantage, and how to use his swim, rip, and spin moves better (and more often).

Weaknesses

Banks needs to learn to develop a secondary pass rush plan and how to disengage better from run blocks.

Once his initial pass-rushing efforts were halted, he stalled out too much. Granted, he always gives a good effort and plays until the whistle blows, but he was stonewalled too often against solo blocks.

On running plays ⎯

Banks must learn to get off blocks better and make more stops outside the box.

Infectious

One of the other standout traits is that Banks shows emotion and attitude when he makes a play.

This is an underrated trait in scouting.

Players feed off the energy around them for better or for worse.

Banks moves the meter.

#88 Caleb Banks 6-foot-6, 330 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2025 Summer Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

M (Medical)

Reported leg injury vs. FSU December 1, 2024 (Floridagators.com)

Dealing with a foot injury reported March 10, 2025 (Secrant.com)

Lower leg injury and wearing a walking boot reported Aug. 14, 2025 (Gators SI)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a First-Round prospect as of August 25, 2025

2024 game film evaluated: Miami, Samford, Mississippi State, UCF, Tennessee, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Texas, and FSU (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Athletic and powerful prospect. Moves up and down the defensive line. Tends to play at a high pad level as a pass rusher. Wins on strength. Uses hands well. Got progressively quicker off the ball and more assertive. Surges of energy. Decent football speed. Didn’t show short area burst. Average pocket adjust. Will chase down screens. Solid limited area run defender who tends to get in on assists and occasionally makes the tackle. Fights to the ball.

What to watch for during the 2025 college football season

1. Stays healthy?

2. Pass rush moves?

3. Disengaging from run blocks?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. Featured in USA Today. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.