Florida Gators defensive tackle has received a surprising take after his bizarre decision at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Few players have risen on NFL Draft boards more than Florida Gators defensive tackle Caleb Banks in recent weeks.
The 6-foot-6, 330-pound behemoth played in just three games this past season, but his unique blend of size, strength and athleticism has scouts salivating.
Everyone was ready to see what Banks would do at the Scouting Combine this week, but Florida fans can't help but feel cheated by what happened.
Banks decided to cut his workout short midway through, complaining that his cleats were irritating him.
Remember: Banks missed most of 2025 due to a foot injury and underwent surgery to repair the issue, so perhaps he was just taking precautions here.
While many were flummoxed by Banks' decision and are wondering if his early exit in Indianapolis will negatively affect his draft stock, Jacob Infante of Pro Football Network seems to think the 22-year-old will be just fine.
“This doesn’t change much about how I view Caleb Banks,” Infante wrote. “He’s coming off of a serious foot injury, so it makes sense he’s naturally more hesitant to risk a safety issue. Banks dominated to the tune of a 9.84 RAS at the Combine; he proved what he needed to in Indianapolis this year.”
Caleb Banks. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.Banks said he will work out at Florida's Pro Day on March 26, so interested NFL teams will get a chance to see him again next month.
To be quite frank, Banks is such a tantalizing prospect that his bizarre decision at the Scouting Combine shouldn't alter his standing all that much.
Were there possibly some clubs on the fence about Banks and are now moving on? Maybe, but at the very least, Banks will still be a second-round pick this April, and potentially a first-rounder.
The Detroit native began his career at Louisville in 2021 and spent two years with the Cardinals before transferring to Florida in 2023.
Banks never really received legitimate playing time until 2024, when he registered 21 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and a couple of forced fumbles.
The star defender has drawn comparisons to long-time NFL defensive tackle Calais Campbell. Whether or not he will actually live up to expectations remains to be seen.
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