The Kansas City Chiefs continue to host draft-eligible prospects on top-30 visits leading up to the 2023 NFL draft. The latest to come and visit team facilities at 1 Arrowhead Dr. is an athletic linebacker from the SEC.
Tennessee LB Jeremy Banks was in Kansas City for his top-30 visit on Tuesday. Banks was originally recruited as a running back, which he played during his Freshman year with the Volunteers to the tune of 52 carries for 185 yards and three touchdowns.
As a sophomore in 2019, he began making the switch to linebacker and appeared in four games. He recorded two interceptions in a game against Chattanooga that season. He’d go on to appear in 31 games at linebacker over the next three seasons, posting a career year in 2021 with 128 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four passes defended and one interception.
The 6-foot-1, 232-pound linebacker participated in the East-West Shrine Game and the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. His vertical (37.5), broad jump (10-3), short shuttle (4.38s), and 40-yard dash (4.53s) all ranked within the top 10 in his position group.
Chiefs fans are probably looking at the team’s linebacker room and asking themselves, “Why are they bringing in a linebacker for a top-30 visit?”
Remember, these are part of the pre-draft fact-finding mission. Banks is a player who had some serious off-field concerns during his time at Tennessee. You can rest assured that the Chiefs are working to get to the bottom of those issues and determine whether a player like Banks would be a cultural fit in Kansas City.
