After two career performances in back-to-back games against ranked opponents last year, it was unclear if Caleb Banks would return to school for his senior season. Banks posted a season-high 77.4 defensive grade against the LSU Tigers and a 71.3 defensive grade against the Ole Miss Rebels. The four-year player also posted a career-high 83.1 pass-rush grade against the Tigers, according to Pro Football Focus.
Caleb Banks clearly has more to prove and is ready to reach his full potential behind a Gators team that looks to build on their momentum from last season.
“It wasn’t just DJ Lagway, it was the whole entire team. I wanted to come back and play with my guys and be the first male in my family to graduate, first generation to graduate. I felt it was very important,” Banks said on his decision to return. “And to come back get a national championship and of course have a higher draft stock for the NFL in the future.”
With fall camp starting on July 30th, Florida’s mindset and preparation will be more important than anything. This team has the pieces they need to be successful and holding onto that momentum from 2024 will be crucial.
“Honestly, I think it’s a mindset thing,” Banks said on what it will take to carry momentum from last season. “I think if we have the right mindset going into the season this year and we have a great fall camp, we’ll be able to go out and be successful this year.”
Coming back to school wasn’t too hard of a decision after getting a first-hand look at what the Gators are becoming capable of.
“We work hard every day. I watch those guys work every single day,” Banks said. “I watch how hard they work, how much work they put in day in and day out, the extra time they put in.”
While facing heavy criticism after a 4-5 start to last season, head coach Billy Napier kept the team bought in and focused, leading the Gators to four straight wins to end the 2024 campaign.
“You know, we all believe in Coach Napier. We know he’s a great guy, a great coach. And we believe in everything he’s done for us. He puts us in a great position every single day with everything that we do. We love him,” Banks said.
After much speculation of lingering shoulder injury issues, sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway is on schedule to be 100% by fall camp.
“DJ, he’s a great player,” Banks said on the progress Lagway has made. “DJ, he’s developing every day as well, getting his body together. He’s doing everything he can to help us and the team be productive.”
It didn’t take long for Caleb Banks to realize the true potential Lagway had. After following him throughout his high school career at Willis High School, Banks expected Lagway to help Florida win games early in his career.
“I used to watch his film in high school. He’s a dude. Just the little things that he do, like to critique his game, I think he’s a great player. Once he went in, we didn’t have no type of doubt that he would be able to take over and be able to help us win that game.”
With the Gators returning over 10 seniors with starting experience this offseason, it’s clear that the expectations are high for Banks and the rest of the Gators’ roster.