Texas LT Kelvin Banks has exciting new reason to play hard vs. Florida and to increase his NFL Draft stock
Banks and partner Demetria are expecting a baby boy in late January or early February
Kelvin Banks Jr. now has a new reason to keep playing well, in addition to helping the fifth-ranked Longhorns and pump up his NFL Draft stock.
Banks will soon be a new father.
Banks and his partner Demetria announced over the weekend that she’s pregnant. Banks confirmed Monday that it’s a boy, presumably a mammoth lineman just like his proud papa. Banks is 6-foot-4 and weighs 320 pounds.
“Oh, it feels good,” Banks said. “Kind of pushes you, definitely, because you’re kind of playing for more than just yourself now and whatever else you were playing for. So it feels good just having another thing in life to push you to want to be better for yourself and for other people as well.”
WATCH AND SUBSCRIBE: Follow A to Z Sports’ Texas Longhorns channel on YouTube.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian eager to help Longhorns reignite their offensive engine vs. Florida
Longhorns ‘didn’t have a couple great weeks,’ but Sarkisian undeterred about offensive capabilities
Kelvin and Demetria are still figuring out a name, and they’re expecting in late January or early February, Banks said. The projected first-round pick is expected to leave UT after this season with one year of eligibility remaining.
The new dad is already doing his homework, talking with other players on the team who have children what to expect.
“One thing they told me is just be prepared to be waking up early in the morning and stuff,” Banks said, “and it not being your alarm, the alarm being a baby.”
Now, Banks has every motivation in the world to help the Texas offensive line pick up the momentum and bounce back after two so-so games offensively.
Banks himself has graded out well each week and allowed only one sack all season, according to Pro Football Focus’ analysis. Banks has been honored twice by the league office as the SEC offensive lineman of the week.
Still, the Longhorns need Banks to help everyone else get it going and help the offense start faster. The offense has scored only two offensive touchdowns in the first quarter of the last three games combined.
The Horns (7-1, 3-1 SEC) were idle last weekend. Texas starts November’s closing stretch against Florida (4-4, 2-3) at 11 a.m. Saturday. UT is a 21.5-point favorite.
“We’re ready to get back out there,” Banks said. “It kind of showed today at practice. A lot of guys, we came out there flying, good energy, good intensity. We just kind of know what we have, the things that we have in front of us. And I feel like we understand that we have to go out there every week and take care of business, and the rest will handle itself.”
