Brendan Bett steps into a massive shoes for Florida. Will this physical transfer fill the void left by an injured but talented former Gator?
Florida Gators defensive tackle Caleb Banks was thought to be a top 10 talent for the 2026 NFL Draft amid his final season in Gainesville.
However, injuries piled up, including at the NFL scouting combine. After undergoing two surgeries in the six months leading up to the draft, some in the league thought Banks would fall out of the first round and into Day 2.
The Minnesota Vikings made a surprising but wise move to take a chance on Banks with the No. 18 pick. He'll fit in with defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
It's unfortunate that Banks won't be with new head coach Jon Sumrall this season. He'd be a player that would fit Sumrall's wishlist for having a competitive personality and brining physicality.
Andrea Adelson of ESPN named Brendan Bett as Florida's replacement for Banks this season. The six-foot-five, 308-pound lineman has three sacks in his first two seasons on the playing field for the Gators.
"A foot injury limited Banks to just three games his senior season with the Gators, and surgery on the same foot before the NFL combine had some questioning whether Banks would go in the first round," Adelson wrote. "But given his size -- 6-foot-6, 327 pounds -- and capability when healthy, Banks came off the board earlier than some anticipated.
"Florida is in good shape moving forward, as Brendan Bett is slated to take over Banks' spot. Bett, who transferred to Florida last year from Baylor, played in all 12 games and made three starts, finishing with 39 tackles and four tackles for loss (three sacks). He has said watching Banks when he arrived in Gainesville helped him learn."
Bett was one player who stood out to Sumrall during spring football. He noticed Bett is one of the more physical linemen on the team.
Bett began his career with Baylor, but transferred to Florida before the 2025 campaign. He could be in line for a breakout season in 2026 if he trusts the process under Sumrall.
Still, it will be hard for Florida to replace Banks. He could be an impact player early on in his career in Minnesota.