Texas’ Banks, top-rated tackle, declares for draft

Texas‘ Kelvin Banks Jr., a junior left tackle who is one of the most decorated linemen in Longhorns history, having won the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award this season, declared for the NFL draft Sunday.

Banks, a 6-foot-4, 320-pound All-American, is Mel Kiper Jr.’s top-rated tackle in this year’s draft and is projected as the No. 10 pick on Kiper’s most recent Big Board.

Banks was the No. 33 recruit in the 2022 ESPN 300 and originally committed to Oregon, but the Houston native signed with Texas, where he started 42 games. He was the anchor of a much-improved offensive line after Steve Sarkisian set out in search of “big humans” with the Longhorns making the transition to the SEC. He helped pave the way for the Longhorns to win the Big 12 last season, their first conference title since 2009, and play in two College Football Playoff semifinals in the past two seasons.

“I am eternally grateful for the impact The University of Texas and Longhorn Nation have had on my life,” Banks posted on Instagram. “From the moment I stepped on the Forty Acres, I knew I was part of something special. The support, passion, and pride of this community have shaped me both as an athlete and as a person, and will carry these memories with me forever.”

Senior Hayden Conner, a 6-5, 320-pound guard who started 43 games for Texas and had a year of eligibility remaining, also declared for the draft Sunday, along with junior running back Jaydon Blue. Blue ran for 730 yards and eight touchdowns this season and caught 42 passes for 368 yards and six more TDs.

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