On March 3, 2001, Deonte was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States. He graduated from Maryland's Edgewood High School with All-County honours. Banks is now a cornerback for the University of Maryland's football team. As a three-star prospect, Banks flourished as a junior at the University of Maryland. Banks, one of the top defensive prospects in the 2023 NFL draft class, left collegiate football after earning an honourable mention for the All-Big Ten team.
Deonte Banks made the announcement that he would declare for the 2023 NFL draft following four seasons of play at the University of Maryland. Banks developed significantly as a football player and refined his special abilities while playing in college. In this year's defensively loaded NFL rookie class, cornerback Deonte Banks is expected to be a top defensive prospect.
Deonte Banks at Edgewood High School
Deonte Banks started playing football at a very young age (around 6 years old). As a child, his love for football knew no bounds. He often used to ask his parents to take him to a hill so that he could build his strength and speed running up and down the hill. At high school, Deonte played football with his cousin, Antwain Banks, who was like a brother to him. They grew up with the game and did everything together let alone training. The duo was a threat to any opponent that they played against during high school. One of their most notable victories together was a 47-0 victory over the Mustangs. While many believed that both players would move on to play college football together, Deonte had set his eyes on remaining in Maryland while Antwain was eyeing playing at Delaware State.
Deonte Banks at the University of Maryland
After a successful stint at Edgewood High School, Deonte Banks proceeded to play football at the University of Maryland. He was extremely successful at college, eventually shaping up to be the player he is today. As a freshman, he had an immediate impact on the team recording 28 tackles, 1 interception and even 2 pass breaks. The 2020 season was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2021, while Banks was able to make an impact in the few games that he played, he suffered a season-ending injury on his shoulder. This injury took place during the second game of the season. While Banks seemed to be devastated by the injury, his parents and coaches motivated him to make a stronger comeback from what is now a minor setback. The 2022 season proved to be Banks’ breakout comeback season in which he recorded a total of 38 tackles of which 25 were solo tackles. Furthermore, he had 1 interception and 8 pass breaks. Banks has declared for the 2023 NFL draft presently and has taken part in the NFL draft combine.
Deonte Banks is an exceptional cornerback prospect who possesses a wide range of talents and qualities, as evidenced by the strengths highlighted for him as an NFL prospect. His familiarity with a variety of coverages suggests that he is adaptable and able to fit into a variety of defensive schemes. In addition, as an outside corner, his size and length provide him with an advantage over bigger receivers. Banks demonstrates his outstanding technical skills with his lateral slide and use of independent hands to reroute receivers, and his fluid lower body mobility enables him to swivel and pivot rapidly. His ability to effectively communicate in zone coverage and play strong against perimeter blocks showcases both his tactical awareness and physical prowess.
Banks’ draft combine results indicated a time of 4.35 seconds on the 40-yard dash, 6’0” height and athleticism score of 98, earning him a 2023 Combine CB rank of 1. He had a total score of 87 and a production score of 72 earning himself a 2023 Combine CB rank of 3. Overall, he is considered to be the perfect prospect to enter the NFL.
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