NFL CAREER – The Saints selected Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-5 inch, 315-pound offensive lineman brings elite power, playing strength and violent hands to his position. In his rookie season, Banks was just the third Saints left tackle since 1978 to start every game at the position for the Black and Gold as he was a consensus All-Rookie selection. A native of Humble, Texas, Banks is expected to have future progress with a full offseason in his second year to build on his strength and technique.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Signed to a four-year contract, 5/9/25; Selected in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.
HONORS – 2025: All-Rookie (PFWA, Pro Football Focus, CBSSports.com, The Athletic and ESPN.com).
2025 – Finished the season starting all 17 games, leading the Saints offense with 1,066 snaps played…Blocked for a unit that gained season-high 189 yards rushing at Buffalo, Sept. 28…Blocked for a line that did not surrender a sack in first victory of the season vs. N.Y. Giants, Oct. 5…Blocked for an offense that gained 388 total net yards in win at Carolina, Nov. 9…Blocked for an offense that gained 139 yards on the ground and rushed for three touchdowns at Tampa Bay, Dec. 7…Blocked for an offense that gained a 412 net yards at N.Y. Jets, Dec. 21…Blocked for an offense that gained season-high 423 net yards at Tennessee, Dec. 28…At Atlanta, 1/4/26, left game in first quarter with (ankle).
COLLEGE – A three-year starter who started all 42 games he played in at left tackle at the University of Texas (2022-24)…Consensus first-team All-American selection and Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award winner, opening all 15 games in 2025…A key member of Texas offensive line that was tabbed a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, which goes to the nation's most outstanding offensive line unit. A first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection, who also was the co-recipient of the SEC's Jacobs Blocking Trophy for the top offensive lineman in the conference…Received multiple weekly honors, including the Outland Trophy's National Player of the Week on October 15, and SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week twice (September 30 and October 14)…Anchored a UT offensive line that protected for QB Quinn Ewers, who completed 293-of-445 passes (65.8 pct.) for 3,472 yards and 31 TDs, averaging 248.0 yards per contest…Part of a balanced Longhorn offense that averaged 278.8 passing yards (14th FBS), 158.8 rushing yards and 33 points (29th in FBS) per game. Blocked for RBs Jaydon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner rushing for 1,064 yards…Started all 14 games at LT in 2023…American Football Coaches Association second-team All-American…Selected All-Big 12 first-team by the conference's coaches and an AP second-team honoree…Part of a Longhorns offensive line that were semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award…Phil Steele honorable mention All-America and first-team All-Big 12…USA Today All-Big 12…Dave Campbell's Texas Football first-team All-Texas…Blocked for Doak Walker Award semifinalist Jonathon Brooks and Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist Ewers…Opened holes for RBs Brooks (1,158 yards), CJ Baxter (659) and Blue (398)…Blocked for fifth RB duo in UT history with a 1,000- and 600-yard rusher (Brooks – 1,158, Baxter – 659)…Started all 13 games at LT as true freshman in 2022…FWAA freshman All-American…Second-team All-Big 12 by both the Big 12 Conference head coaches and the AP…Tabbed honorable mention Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and conference Offensive Lineman of the Year (league coaches)…Part of a line that blocked for Doak Walker Award winner and unanimous All-American RB Bijan Robinson as he rushed for 1,580 yards (6.1 avg.) and 18 touchdowns with 19 receptions for 314 yards and two touchdowns...Blocked for the eighth running back duo in UT history with a 1,000- and 500-yard rusher…Majored in physical culture and sports.
PERSONAL – Attended Summer Creek (Humble, Texas) HS…All-American and four-time all-district…Participated in 2022 Under Armour All-America Game…Rated No. 4 on USA Today Texas Top 25 Class of 2022…Rated sixth nationally, the top offensive tackle, and the number one player in the state of Texas by On3…Ranked 29th nationally, third among tackles and seventh overall in Texas by 247Sports…Rated 32nd nationally, fourth among tackles and tenth overall in the state of Texas by ESPN…Ranked 64th nationally, sixth among tackles and second overall in Texas by Rivals…Chosen to 2021 Super Team First Team, the Texas Top 300 and as a Top Ten offensive lineman by Dave Campbell's Texas Football…2021 District 21-6A Offensive Player of the Year/first-team All-District…Anchored an offense that averaged 432.2 total yards (310.6 rushing) and 45.6 points per game…Helped offense score 50 or more points seven times and 60 or more five times…Part of an offense that rushed for 250 or more yards in ten games, including four of over 400 yards, also rushing for at least three touchdowns in ten contests and at least six TDs in six…Helped guide offense to a three-game stretch during which it averaged 67.3 points and 544.7 yards per game against Dekaney, Conroe and Westside. Included 74 points, 356 rushing yards and eight rushing TDs against Westside. Summer Creek offense also notched eight rushing TDs and a season-high 281 passing yards against Conroe…Paved the way for 432 rushing yards and seven TDs vs. West Brook…Blocked for a rushing offense that accumulated over 430 yards in three-straight games against Channelview (453), Dawson (436) and Cinco Ranch (527), an average of 472.0 per game. Tallied seven rushing TDs at Channelview. 527 rushing yards and 631 total yards against Cinco Ranch were season-highs…Helped Summer Creek to 10-4 overall record, with an appearance in 2021 6A Division Two quarterfinals…2020 first-team All-District 21-6A…Part of an offense that averaged 25.7 points per game in 2019…First-team All-District 22-6A…Part of an offense that averaged 32.4 points per game as sophomore…Also played basketball….Follow Banks on Instagram at @thekelvinbanks.
