A Nebraska Football newcomer should be able to see the field next year.
All this offseason, you’ve heard us talk about the 2019 Nebraska Football recruiting class in the offensive potential it has. We would be remiss if we didn’t discuss what type of potential the defensive side of the football has for the class. With all of the newcomers arriving on campus, spring practice is full of competition. One of the individuals who wants to make a name for himself early is Brant Banks. Not only does he have the ability to make a name for himself during his time with Nebraska Football, he has the chance to see the field next year as a freshman.
More from Husker Corner
- Former Nebraska football star returns to the program in new role
- Travis Hunter injury uproar has some Nebraska football fans reminding Colorado about Adrian Martinez
- Nebraska Football: Freshman RB in line for big playing time
- Nebraska Cornhuskers News: Heinrich Haarberg has believer in Rhule, more
- Nebraska Football: Matt Rhule faces tough decision between Heinrich Haarberg and Jeff Sims
Banks made a pledge to Nebraska Football on Signing Day and was heralded as one of the impact players of this class. He is what I would call in impact player. Measuring in at six-foot-seven, 265 pounds he was a force to be reckoned with at the high school level. He would make tackles seem effortless and he would shed blocks like there was nobody blocking him at all. He was able to take up space and become a true defensive catalyst for Houston Westbury Christian School. Now, the big question is if he can continue to play at a high level on a loftier stage?
So far, it seems that he has been able to take everything in stride. Throughout the course of spring ball, he has been getting noticed for his play by his coaches and teammates. As reported by Mike Schaefer of 247Sports, the coaches think he has a lot of skill, but they know it will take time for him to grow.
"“His upside is tremendous, but he has a ways to go,” Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander said before the start of spring of Banks. “Usually those real big d-linemen, it takes them a little bit of time. Big O-linemen, big D-linemen, that’s the hardest spot to play when you early enroll. Corner, you can go out there and cover somebody man, but when you’ve been bigger and stronger than everybody your entire life, and then you line up against (Matt) Farniok, or (Brenden Jaimes) or you’re Will Farniok last year and you have Carlos Davis on your head for the first time, that’s a tough rodeo to compete in. I think that’s the hardest thing to do is early enroll and be an offensive or defensive lineman, so he has a lot of growing. I love the kid, I think his upside is tremendous.”"
He could definitely find a home at defensive end. He may not be the explosive player that he was in high school, but with his body size, he could definitely be a space-filler. What I mean by that is, he can seal the gap when it comes to the run game or disrupt a counter play just enough to allow the rest of the defense to get to a running back. It would be very easy to think that he will be overshadowed by the rest of the players on the defensive line, but he certainly has the opportunity to hold his own. He may end up being a player that will fly under the radar, but it would be silly to think that he will not be able to make an impact. The Nebraska Football program has a ton of the depth and Banks should be able to fit in the mix.
Sometimes, you need players that do not necessarily make the big play or record the big sack. Just the way Banks can explode when the ball is snapped and confuse offensive lineman should allow him to see the field quite a bit. He certainly has potential and he should be able to see the field quite a bit over the next couple of years. He is the type of player with the skills to play right away. We will have to see if that is the case.