From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Florida DT Caleb Banks.

No. 88 Caleb Banks/DT Florida – 6-6, 335 pounds (RS-Senior)
MEASUREMENTS

Player
Ht/Wt
Hand Size
Arm Length
Wingspan

Caleb Banks
6-6/335
N/A
N/A
N/A

40-Yard Dash
10-Yard Dash
Short Shuttle
3-Cone

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

Broad Jump
Vertical
Bench Press

N/A
N/A
N/A

The Good

– Prototypical size to play almost any position along the DL
– Great initial burst off the line
– Unusually nimble with great lateral quickness for his size
– Heavy hands and great play strength; capable of knocking blockers off-balance on first strike
– Uses variety of moves (spin, swim, swipe/rip, etc.) to get penetration

The Bad

– Pad level could use work; may always be a struggle at his height
– Center of gravity and contact balance are inconsistent; spends too much time on the ground
– Opts to use finesse moves instead of power against the run, and works himself out of position at times
– Anchor is not as impressive as it should be at his size
– Lacks counter moves when first attempt fails
– Still learning to play at 335 pounds (entered college at or just under 300)

Stats

– Career: 48 total tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, one pass defensed, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries
– 2024: 21 total tackles, 7.0 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, one pass defensed, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery
– Career snaps: 928 on defense; mostly B-gap (2, 3, 4i-technique)
– 2024 snaps: 422 on defense
– PFF: 60 total pressures, eight QB hits, 13 missed tackles, 25.5 missed tackle rate

Injury History

– Hernia injury forced him to miss 2024 bowl game
– Foot injury during fall camp before 2025 season, missed first two games
– Broken foot Sept. 13, 2025 against LSU required surgery, missed the next seven games; returned for final two weeks

Bio

– Just turned 24 years old in December
– Three-star athlete out of Southfield A&T HS in Detroit, Michigan
– Spent two years at Louisville before transferring to Florida for final three
– Originally chose Arizona State, but decommitted
– Earned his first starts in 2023 with Florida; appeared in 34 games with 24 starts
– Also had offers from Cincinnati, Michigan, Tennessee and others
– Earned bachelor’s degree in Education Sciences; named to academic honor roll multiple times
– His desire to be a zoologist initially informed his choice of schools for football
– Named to the 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list for excellence on and off the field
– Grew up focusing on basketball; didn’t try football until high school
– Dominant performance at 2026 Senior Bowl

Tape Breakdown

His quickness off the line stood out in a big way. There aren’t too many 335 pounders capable of getting into the backfield this quick, and even fewer OL capable of keeping up. The only critique, as you’ll see in one of the plays below, is he opts for the path of least resistance sometimes and runs himself past the play.

He pairs his quick feet with quick hands off the line and can make quick work of blockers with arm over or swipe-rip moves. That results in a lot of instances where he nearly makes a big play, but isn’t quite able to finish. He comes into the backfield out of control sometimes, which led to his 25.5 missed tackle rate.

That being said, not many guys his size can execute these pass rush moves so seamlessly.

While he opts to use his quickness more often than not, he definitely packs a punch with his hands. He can ragdoll blockers with his first strike and has a wicked push-pull move as well.

The high pad level and out-of-control movements lead to Banks ending up on the turf too often. Defensive linemen can’t make plays on their back.

He is perfectly capable of being a plus run defender but struggles with consistency in that area right now. Some of it is the high pad level and other issues I mentioned above, but he really does prefer to go around a blocker than through them. Good coaching will teach him to use power and build the rest of his innate abilities off of that.

Conclusion

They don’t make many like Caleb Banks. His basketball background shines through even in his transformed 335-pound DT body. If he develops well, he could become borderline unstoppable at the next level. But he may have a hard time earning trust of NFL coaches with poor pad level, issues staying in his gap, and ending up on the ground too often. Not every play has to be a highlight. The sooner he settles into that mindset, the better. He is probably at the lower range of his potential right now, but I can’t overstate enough how much potential there is with Banks.

He looks like a less refined Stephon Tuitt coming out of college with 30 extra pounds on his frame.

NFL Projection: Late Day 12026 Draft Pro
Steelers Depot Draft Grade: 8.2 (Long-time Starter)
Grade Range: 7.9-9.3
Games Watched: at LSU (2025), vs Kentucky (2024), vs Miami (2024), at Tennessee (2024)