GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gators’ defensive tackle Caleb Banks will return to school for his redshirt senior season, Banks announced his decision in collaboration with Florida Victorious. Banks will put off the NFL Draft to finish out his eligibility in 2025 with the Gators.
Banks started his career at Louisville. The 6-6, 375-pound defensive tackle played in one game during his freshman season at Louisville while taking a redshirt. He played in six games as a redshirt freshman for the Cardinals. Banks recorded his first career sack and forced a fumble against Wake Forest.
He hit the transfer portal after two seasons in Louisville, Banks picked the Gators and enrolled in January of 2023. Banks earned a starting job in his first season in Gainesville. He appeared in all 12 games while making 11 starts. He recorded 19 tackles (7 solo), 1.5 TFL and one sack. Banks capped off the season with one tackle in the game against No. 5 Florida State. He started in a contest against No. 9 Missouri where he posted season and career high in tackles against No. 19 LSU. He recorded his season high in tackles, three, against No. 1 Georgia.
Banks once again started for the Gators in 2024. Banks amassed 21 tackles (10 solo) including seven tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a recovered fumble in ten starts. He played his best over the last month of the season. Banks had seven tackles for loss over the last three games and had 3.5 sacks in that span (he missed most of the Florida State game with an injury). Banks would have likely been a day-two pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Coming back to school, he’ll look to improve that stock by returning this season.
