Texas gets a colossal commitment from 5-Star OT Kelvin Banks

Something that the 2022 Texas football recruiting class was looking for a good while now as momentum pursuing some of their top targets in the trenches. That is true at least on the offensive side of the ball in the trenches. It’s hard to argue with the fact that Texas has the strongest position group in the 2022 class along the defensive line.

Head coach Steve Sarkisian and offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Kyle Flood just got a lot better in the 2022 class along the O-Line, though. The Longhorns landed a massive commitment to kick off a huge recruiting weekend on the afternoon of Dec. 11.

Texas got the word on social media of the commitment of the elite five-star Summer Creek offensive tackle Kelvin Banks thanks to the announcement on his Twitter timeline in the early afternoon of Dec. 11. This might be the biggest commitment yet in the Longhorns 2022 class.

Landing a commitment from the in-state product Banks is also something that can help the Longhorns on the field as soon as next fall. Given some of the struggles along the offensive line this fall, Texas clearly needed help in the trenches heading into the 2022 offseason.

Texas football gets the boost they needed in the 2022 class with 5-Star OT Kelvin Banks

Banks is a former commit of the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Oregon Ducks. His first commitment was with head coach Mike Gundy and the Pokes. But that de-commitment came more than one year ago.

Then, Banks handed what looked to be his final commitment (at the time at least) to now-former head coach Mario Cristobal and the Ducks. Banks would de-commit from Oregon, though, after Cristobal bolted from Eugene to take up the head coaching job with the Miami Hurricanes last week.

While it looked like Banks was going to push his decision around National Signing Day 2022, he ended up giving his pledge to the Longhorns a few days ahead of the start of the Early Signing Period. Getting this commitment at the time the Longhorns did could mean the world to this 2022 class.

Landing Banks makes an immediate difference for the Longhorns 2022 class, and it could completely shift the momentum with the remaining top targets among prospects along the offensive line. It could also make a difference with how Texas does at the other skill positions in the 2022 and 2023 classes.

The fact that Sark and the Longhorns are getting the buy-in from an elite five-star prospect such as Banks shows that other prospects can also recognize the vision he brings to the table.

Texas beat out the likes of the LSU Tigers, Miami, Texas A&M Aggies, Oklahoma State, and the Alabama Crimson Tide, among others, who were all trying to pitch Banks after his de-commitment from Oregon. If his decision did wind up getting pushed to January or February, the road to get a commitment from Banks looked a lot tougher for the Longhorns.

Now, Texas can build a really solid foundation along the offensive line in the 2022 class during the Early Signing Period, spearheaded by the commitment of Banks.

This 6-foot-5 and 300-pound offensive tackle definitely has the size and overall physical tools to make a big impact for the Longhorns in the trenches in the next year or two. He might need to add some strength to his frame to compete right away in the Big 12. But that shouldn’t be too much to ask given that Banks already sits at 300 pounds (at least as of a weigh-in from earlier this year).

Where Banks really shines, though, is with his fundamentals and versatility in run and pass blocking. Banks gets an excellent push to the second and third levels of the defense and can hold the edge very well, in blocking for the run. He uses his length really well in run blocking that allows him to get into a good, and deep stance, to get the push he needs through multiple levels of opposing defenses.

Moreover, Banks shines just as much in blocking for the passing game as he does blocking for the run. While Banks does still have some room to go in terms of his blocking ability in the run and the pass, he shows off well on film right now.

That aforementioned wide base that Banks plays with in blocking for the run is also shown on film in pass blocking. If he’s able to add more size, his footwork is more than good enough to become one of the best edge blockers in the Big 12.

Texas is going to have some major question marks at the offensive tackle position in 2022. Derek Kerstetter is headed out the door, and there’s not much confidence behind what we saw from fellow senior Christian Jones in 2021. Texas is likely looking to find some completely new starters at both offensive tackle spots in 2022.

Banks is definitely going to be able to compete right away for starting snaps along the offensive line in 2022. Especially if he signs and enrolls early at Texas, he’s going to be in line to make an immediate impact along the line as a true freshman.

Texas needed this type of boost along the offensive line more so than with any other position group in the 2022 class at this point in time. Banks brings Texas the nation’s No. 15 2022 high school prospect, No. 2 offensive tackle, and No. 4 prospect out of Texas (247Sports Composite).

In all likelihood, Texas should now be looking at a top-10 ranked class in the nation for the 2022 cycle after landing the commitment from Banks. According to the 247Sports Team Composite Rankings, the 2022 Texas recruiting class now ranks at No. 7 in the nation and in the top spot in the Big 12.