The Lobos tailback and return specialist could be an intruiging undrafted free agent target for Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Chargers hosted New Mexico running back and return specialist Damon Bankston for a pre-draft visit, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC-2 Houston.
Bankston has also met with the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans, and could be a sought-after option in undrafted free agency.
Gina Ferazzi - Los Angeles TimesThe 22-year-old Katy, Texas native spent the first four years of his career at Weber State, where he was granted a medical redshirt after suffering a season-ending injury in 2023.
As a true freshman in 2021, Bankston showed flashes but wasn’t heavily featured in the offense. He began to find his footing during his sophomore season in 2022, rushing for 709 yards and eight touchdowns on 126 carries, while adding 98 yards on four kickoff returns, including an 81-yard long. He followed that up with a breakout 2024 campaign, totaling 1,104 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 177 carries, along with 142 receiving yards and a touchdown on 11 receptions, earning Second Team All-Big Sky honors.
Overall, Bankston finishes sixth in school history after rushing for 2,324 yards and 22 touchdowns on 392 carries, adding 34 receptions for 332 yards and a receiving touchdown during his time at Weber State.
He transferred to New Mexico for his final season, where he totaled 635 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 114 carries, while hauling in 31 receptions for 397 yards and three scores. He also contributed in the return game with 434 yards and two touchdowns on 12 kick returns, including a long of 100 yards.
Bankston measured in at five-foot-10 and 196 pounds with 30⅞-inch arms and 9½-inch hands. At New Mexico’s Pro Day, he ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, along with a 4.32-second shuttle, a 6.89-second three-cone, a 33-inch vertical and 21 bench press reps.
He provides a well-rounded skill set that gives him a legitimate path to sticking in the NFL as a versatile depth option. However, where Bankston can really separate himself is on special teams. His acceleration and open-field instincts translate well as a return specialist at the next level, where he’s already shown the ability to flip field position and generate explosive plays.
For a team like the Chargers, that versatility could make him an intriguing addition. If he’s able to prove reliable in the return game during training camp, he could earn his way onto the roster and carve out an early role as a return specialist.