SIGNED: OL Aaron Banks
El Cerrito (Calif.) High offensive tackle Aaron Banks is an early enrollee and started classes at Notre Dame on Jan. 17.
The 6-7, 335-pounder is ranked as a four-star recruit, the No. 16 player in California, and the No. 13 offensive tackle and No. 121 overall prospect nationally by Rivals.
Measurables
• At Nike Football The Opening Regional in Oakland on May 22, 2016, posted a 5.64 40-yard dash, a 4.91 20-yard shuttle and a vertical leap of 23.8 inches.
Statistics
• As a senior, according to Banks, he averaged around 12 pancake blocks per game on offense and recorded 14 sacks and seven forced fumbles on defense.
Honors
• As a senior, was named to the All-USA California first team by USA Today.
• Selected to the MaxPreps All-NorCal first team on offense as a senior.
• Selected to The Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, a listing of the top 100 senior football recruits on the West Coast.
• Picked to the Cal-Hi Medium Schools All-State first team as a senior.
• As a junior, earned MaxPreps 2015 California Medium Schools All-State second-team honors on offense.
• Named to the second-team offensive unit on the MaxPreps 2013 Freshman All-America Team.
All-Star Games And Camps
• Participated at the Nike Football The Opening Regional on May 22, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.
Recruitment
• Gave his verbal commitment to Notre Dame on Dec. 9, 2016. Became an official member of the program Dec. 21 as one of five early enrollees.
• Selected Notre Dame over Michigan, Nebraska, UCLA, Cal, Tennessee and Oregon.
• Visited officially for the Michigan State game (Sept. 17) and made an unofficial trip in August. He also took official visits to Michigan and Oregon during the recruiting process.
• Primarily recruited by offensive line coach Harry Hiestand, who was one of the main factors in him selecting the Irish.
Notable
• Born Sept. 3, 1997.
• Wants to major in business.
• He is big on cars, with his favorites being a 1972 SS Camaro and a 1963 Impala, which were both owned by his parents.
• Also likes to cook.
2017 Projection
• Banks is likely destined for a redshirt season, but his size, strength and athleticism could allow him to push into the two-deep early on.
BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell: “Banks was a standout on both sides of the ball for El Cerrito, dominating as a guard and nose tackle during his senior season. He is a powerful blocker that thrives in the run game, and he plays the game with a nasty streak. The El Cerrito standout plays with good pad level, shows a powerful punch and drives his feet well through contact.
“Improvements from a technique standpoint are needed, and Banks has to get in better shape, but he has the tools to eventually grow into a dominant blocker in the run game.”
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