With the hype surrounding the 2026 NFL Draft continuing to grow this offseason, many Florida Gators fans are excited to see where the program’s top playmakers from last year will land at the professional level.

The Gators, who once dominated the NFL Draft, have struggled to produce high-quality players at the next level as of late, with former wideout Ricky Pearsall being the last prospect from Florida to be selected in the first round. However, this could quickly change during the upcoming draft, with the rise of star defensive tackle Caleb Banks.

Despite playing in just three games in 2025, Banks has seen his draft stock soar due to a combination of his past seasons with the program and a stellar performance at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl. Now, the veteran defender has a chance to be taken on day one in the upcoming draft.

Unfortunately for Banks, his draft stock has now been called into question after well-respected draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. left him out of his most recent first-round mock draft.

After spending his first two seasons with the Louisville Cardinals, Banks quickly became a force on defense in his first two seasons with the Gators. During the stretch, the highly-touted defensive tackle recorded 40 tackles, eight tackles for losses, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Banks’ stock took a turn for the worse this past season after playing in three games for Florida, but luckily for the rising star, his outstanding showing at the Senior Bowl has put him back on the first-round radar. Standing at 6-foot-6, 329 lbs., Banks’ unique blend of size and power allows him to be a game-wrecker against both the pass and the run.

In order to truly solidify himself as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Banks must continue his strong showings at the 2026 NFL Combine this week. While Banks’ testing numbers may not help his cause, his performance in the drills will be a key indicator of where he could land in the draft.

Depending on whether or not he shines this week, there are multiple teams in the middle-to-late portion of the first round that could benefit from Banks, including the Chicago Bears and the Houston Texans.

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