When did Banks pass Membou in the OT pecking order?
The question is when Membou passed Banks. Banks has been a top 10 mock since the "too early 2025 mocks" posted right after 2024 draft. Membou wasn't a twinkle in Kiper's eyes at that point. Membou wasn't even mocked as a 1st until about March. I am always wary of a guy, especially OL, that suddenly skyrockets. It feels like someone's trying to create a narrative that doesn't exist. This isn't a D2 gem someone's uncovering, this guy played at Missouri, an SEC school, where is the three or four years' worth of tape against top competition? All anyone talks about with him are tools. Freak, mobility fluidity, athleticisim. All fun stuff but where's the production?
He's also got serious build limitations to play tackle - 17th percentile heights, 34th hand, 33rd arm, 25th wingspan. Again, physical freak, logging 97th percentile 40, broad, and vert and 75th percentile 10-yard split. He's particularly a good fit for a heavy zone/move blocking scheme which is what Kelly might bring in.
Banks is pretty similar physically (so is Will Campbell for that matter) but he's been producing from day one:
Draft Profile: Bio
Kelvin Banks Jr. established himself as a cornerstone of the Texas Longhorns' offensive line, culminating in an outstanding 2024 campaign that saw him capture both the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy. The Humble, Texas native made an immediate impact upon arrival, starting an remarkable 42 games at left tackle over three seasons. Banks anchored the offensive line during Texas' historic transition into the SEC, where he continued to dominate despite facing elite competition.
A blue-chip recruit out of Summer Creek High School, Banks was a five-star prospect and the top-ranked offensive tackle in Texas. After initially committing to Oregon, Banks chose to stay home when Mario Cristobal departed for Miami. He validated the hype immediately, earning Freshman All-American honors in 2022 before collecting First-team All-Big 12 honors as a sophomore. His junior season saw him reach new heights, earning SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors twice while helping guide Texas to the College Football Playoff.
Banks' collegiate accolades are extensive, including multiple All-American selections, All-Conference honors across both the Big 12 and SEC, and finalist recognition for the Joe Moore Award. His impact was particularly evident in 2024, where he helped power an offense that consistently topped 500 yards of total offense, including a dominant 614-yard performance against UTSA and a crucial 562-yard output in a statement win over Florida.
I'd strongly prefer Banks or Campbell to Membou based solely on their established histories. All three have a Robert Gallery vibe that may be better suited at G than OT but that's fine by me if we get elite play at either spot.