Vikings Met with a Freak Athlete at the Linebacker Position
The Minnesota Vikings have been in the offseason for several weeks now and they’re surely preparing for free agency in March and the NFL Draft in April. In the latter event, a linebacker could be on the club’s list, as the position is currently unsolidified beyond starter Blake Cashman. UTSA draft prospect Shad Banks is a name worth knowing.
NFL analyst Ryan Fowler reported on social media: “A popular name during the predraft process thus far has been UTSA LB Shad Banks. Big time athlete (former Junior Olympic triple jump champ) who was a focal point at both Hula & the American Bowl. He’s now had multiple individual meetings with the Commanders, Bears & Falcons, and recently met with the following clubs: Vikings, Broncos, Raiders, Lions, Jets.”
That’s a long list of suitors, and that list could get a whole lot longer in the upcoming weeks and months, given Banks’ athletic upside.
Bruce Feldman, author of the annual Feldman’s Freaks list on The Athletic, included him in his list a couple of years ago. That list is supposed to highlight the best athletes in college football.
He wrote, “He might be the only linebacker in Power 5 — or maybe all of FBS — who is back deep returning kickoffs. He averaged 27 yards on three returns last season. And this is no small linebacker. Banks, who started two games at linebacker in 2022 and made a career-high 10 tackles against Kansas State in the Big 12 title game, is 6-1, 250 pounds, and a former two-time Junior Olympic national triple jump champion. He consistently runs 21 MPH and has been clocked at 4.4 in the 40. He also vertical-jumped 38 inches.”
Banks spent four seasons at TCU before transferring to UTSA prior to last season. Overall, he played in 55 collegiate games. Last season, Banks tabulated 94 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble (3 recoveries) and 2 touchdowns (1 fumble and 1 INT).
Throughout his career, Banks also returned five kickoffs and a punt, which is unheard of for a linebacker.
Banks is generally viewed as a late-round prospect, but with that many teams interested in his services, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see him rise up the draft boards over the next three months. Surely, flashing his athleticism at the combine will help, too.
The Vikings are in the market for a linebacker, needing both a starter and depth. Cashman will return for a third season, but he missed multiple games in each of his two Vikings seasons and hasn’t been the most durable player throughout his career.
Other than him, the linebacker depth is nonexistent. Eric Wilson is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March. After his breakout campaign, there might be other franchises intrigued by the veteran. Brian Flores’ likely return increases the chance of a contract extension.
Ivan Pace, who started at linebacker in 2023 and 2024, was sent to the bench for Wilson. His contract is expiring, too. Unlike Wilson, he is a restricted free agent, but it’s fair to wonder whether the Vikings view him as a long-term option, as he couldn’t hang on to the starting job.
Draft picks Kobe King (2025) and Brian Asamoah (2025) were waived and so was undrafted rookie Austin Keys. Jacob Roberts and John Ross signed futures contracts with the franchise, but it remains to be seen if they are actually serious contenders for a roster spot.
Either way, the Vikings need youth at the position. Handing Flores a brilliant athlete could be extremely intriguing for the front office.
Banks is only 22, and with this many teams already circling, his draft stock may only continue to climb. If Minnesota is serious about reshaping its linebacker room with upside and speed, this is a prospect worth watching closely.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.