Versatility remains king in the NFL. For Mississippi State defender Marcus Banks, it’s a playstyle that takes on new meaning when projecting his game to football’s highest level.
A transfer to Starkville after three seasons under Nick Saban at Alabama, Banks’ skill set fits the modern game like a glove. As offenses have continued to evolve with the utilization of unique personnel groupings and the deployment of flex tight ends and nuanced route-running ball-carriers in space, players like Banks have become musts inside a defensive scheme.
At 6-foot and 190 pounds, Banks touts a twitched-up frame with the ability to not only work downhill in the shallow areas but flip and run up the seam against larger pass-catchers.
“I truly believe my versatility sets me apart from the rest of this draft class,” Banks said. “There isn’t a single spot in the secondary that I can’t play at a high level.”
While strapping up and making plays is one thing, understanding the nuances of each position—whether Banks is in the box, at nickel, or free safety—has allowed the former SEC standout to win reps before the ball is ever snapped.
“I even look back to teams’ past offensive coordinators… they don’t change,” Banks said. “You can look at their past history and they like to run certain things in certain ways—they bring the same offense wherever they go.
“I dive into down and distances and realize how that affects my technique, and once I get familiar with the offense then I get into the players. Even the O-linemen, they can give away a lot, whether it’s post-snap or pre-snap.”
An athlete beyond his years in identifying keys on the perimeter, Banks expanded on his process before a rep begins.
“You can even look at wide receivers and see what foot they have up, or where their eyes are at, or how far their splits are,” Banks said. “When you truly respect the game, it takes a lot to win. Winning is hard and you have to dive into the small little details.”
And it’s those small details that pop when flipping on the tape of the Houston, Texas native. Whether it’s extending to the numbers to counter the edge in the run, understanding the nuances of how to attack and shed the climbing offensive linemen, or how to bait signal-callers into pushing throws into condensed windows, Banks' ability to wear a multitude of hats (and wear them well) should jigsaw nicely into an NFL defense.
A man off the field who enjoys laying low, often spending time fishing for catfish and bass in local lakes, Banks’ game will carry a spotlight wherever he lands come late spring. It’s a draft process Banks said he’s “not taking for granted.” Hearing his name called in April is something he’s dreamed of before he ever strapped up in pads as a kid.
“This’ll be the biggest moment of my family’s life… and I’m looking forward to making that happen for them.”
While some can only fantasize about hearing their name called in April or stepping onto NFL-branded turf, Banks’ game within the hashes tells only half the story of an athlete, and leader, that should make an impact on Sundays.
