Marcus Banks, SAF, Mississippi State
Size:
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 190 lbs
Arm Length: 29”
Hand Size: 9”
Accomplishments:
4-star recruit
“Marcus Banks is a hybrid defensive back who wears multiple hats in the secondary and is a talented, athletic coverage defender.”
Strengths:
Fluid mover
Positional flexibility: SS, FS, Nickel
Speed/range
Athletic ability
Concerns:
Lack of ball production
Run support
Tackling
Film Analysis:
Marcus Banks has good explosiveness and closing burst when he triggers toward the football or the intended receiver. His athleticism is easy to see as he rarely loses foot races down the field. Whether as a safety or nickel CB, he has displayed the speed to stay in phase and step-for-step with wide receivers.
Banks is a talented and consistent pass defender with coverage-scheme versatility. He is capable of impacting passing plays in both man and zone coverages. His technique is sound, using different methods to counter the varying speeds and receiving threats. His scooch technique is well-paced and used properly to leverage the receiver to his coverage strength. Banks’ backpedal is clean, calm, and under control. He does not sit in his backpedal too long to put himself in compromising situations.
Banks is not the most physical defensive back in this class. His trigger into run support is questionable from depth. I would not classify him as an “alley runner” versus the run. He’s a community tackler who leverages the ball enough to tackle with assistance. Solo tackles need work with targeting the strike zone. Either Banks’ tackles are too high or too low, leading to missed tackles. For a defensive back with his coverage ability, Banks lacks the ball production you’d like from a high-end starter. If Banks can begin to take the ball away more in the NFL, it will boost his value substantially.
Overall, Banks projects as a backup versatile defensive back who will align as the free safety and nickel cornerback depending on the situation and matchup. He has a starting skill set and potential.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Scheme Specific Contributor
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: LSU (2023), Auburn (2023), Alabama (2023), Ole Miss (2023)