3 overreactions from Texas football’s dismantling of Kansas

Kelvin Banks Jr. is well on his way to Freshman All-American honors

One of the most underrated performances in Week 12 for the Longhorns came courtesy of the former elite five-star recruit and breakout true freshman offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. Banks was tremendous for the Longhorns in multiple phases of the game in the Week 12 win over Kansas.

Banks and senior offensive tackle Christian Jones combined to not allow a single quarterback pressure on redshirt freshman Quinn Ewers throughout this game.

In run blocking, Banks was just as good, if not better, than he was in pass protection in Week 12.

Banks led all Big 12 offensive linemen in Week 12 in run blocking grade, and it wasn’t even close. Week 12 also saw Banks post his best run-blocking grade of the season.

We also have to give props to Banks for being the only offensive tackle in the Big 12 that hasn’t allowed a single quarterback pressure in the last two weeks. The true freshman is on a crazy run right now, playing even better than he did when he got off to a hot start this fall.

The way that Banks is playing this season proves that he is more than worthy of getting the nod for Freshman All-American honors. He should also be in the running for All-Big 12 honors on the first or second team.

With Banks effectively sealing the edge in run blocking and holding steady on each passing down in pass protection, offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Kyle Flood and the Longhorns have to feel great about the play in the trenches heading into the regular season finale. Banks is the anchor that Texas needed in the trenches this season. And he is playing his best football, especially in pass pro, in the last two games.