Arkansas commit sets Florida Gators official visit

In what seems like a every year story line, the Florida Gators are looking to add depth on the offensive line in the 2018 class under new head coach Dan Mullen.

New Gators assistant coach John Hevesy is leading that charge in finding linemen and he’s been recruiting Arkansas offensive line commit Noah Banks (6-7, 305, Pensacola, FL. Iowa Western JUCO) to Florida.

“I’ve been talking to Coach Hevesy, the offensive line coach,” Banks said on who he speaks to from Florida. “He was recruiting me at Mississippi State but when he got to Florida he gave me a call and told me he was really interested in me.

Hevesy made one of his first calls to Banks and explained why the Gators needed the Arkansas commit in Gainesville.

“He said he wanted a JUCO offensive lineman in this class,” he said on Hevesy’s message to him. “He just started really recruiting me a few days ago so I haven’t been able to talk to him much but when I go down there for my visit, I’ll be able to talk to him and Coach Mullen more.”

Banks and Hevesy have a relationship that dates back a few months now and it’s a relationship that the JUCO lineman likes.

“We’re pretty close, he’s a real straight up guy,” Banks said on his relationship with Hevesy. “He’s a good coach and he’s going to tell you how it is. That’s what I like about him. I’m the same way with him. We’re close and we have a good relationship with each other.”

Despite playing JUCO ball in Iowa, Banks is very familiar with the SEC and the Florida Gators after growing up in Pensacola and that makes the Florida offer even more special.

“Growing up in the panhandle it was either Florida or Florida State so it’s really big to get an offer from Florida,” he said on his interest in Florida. “

Next up for Banks is several official visits including two visits to SEC teams and even a midweek stop.

“I’m going to take my official visit to Florida on December 15th,” Banks said. “I go to Auburn this weekend for an official. I’ve already taken one to Arkansas and FAU. I’m going to a midweek visit to Nebraska.”

With Arkansas not having a head coach yet, Banks is looking at all options but he doesn’t plan to make a final decision on things until he’s ready to sign later this month.

“I’m going to a final decision on the 20th when I sign,” he said. “Since I only have two years left, I’m looking for a school that I can play right away and maybe somewhere that is graduating a tackle so I can make an impact.

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.

1 COMMENT

  1. Taylor is a sophomore and Ivey is a junior, Ivey is returning isn’t he? Unless this guy is so good he may push his way into a starting position, if not he’d have to sit a year. I don’t know if Hevesy rotates his linemen a lot or not? Sounds like this juco is pretty good.