Brandon Banks
Encyclopedia
Brandon Banks is an American football
wide receiver
for the Washington Redskins
of the National Football League
. He was signed by the Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football
at Kansas State
.
in Garner, North Carolina
. He led the Trojans to three consecutive conferences championships and a 33–5 record over his final three seasons. He was named to the 2006 USA Today
All-USA high school track and field team after posting a 10.42 in the 100-meter dash and a 21.44 in the 200 meter dash.
to begin the 2008 season
.
Banks became the second straight Wildcat to earn offensive newcomer of the year accolades after Deon Murphy
took the honor in 2007. In all, Kansas State has had eight players earn conference newcomer of the year honors since 1996.
He had one of the best seasons in school history for a junior wide receiver after collecting 67 receptions for 1,049 yards and nine touchdowns. He became the sixth player in school history to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a season and his 67 catches and 1,049 receiving yards were the most by a Wildcat junior for a single season.
Banks also contributed on special teams in 2008 as he collected 498 yards on 18 kickoff returns and five punt returns for 58 yards. His 98-yard kickoff return against Nebraska tied for the fifth-longest in school history. Banks' 1,731 total all-purpose yardage in 2008 ranks fifth in single-season school history, while his 144.2 all-purpose yards per game mark checks in at No. 8 on the Kansas State single-season records chart. He was a first team big XII selection on special teams and he was a second team All-American his Senior Year.
, the Washington Redskins
signed Banks as an undrafted free agent on May 17, 2010. He returned a punt 77 yards for a touchdown in the first preseason game against the Buffalo Bills
on August 13, 2010. Against the New York Jets
, however, he fumbled a return and had inconsistent play against the Baltimore Ravens
, which included a second lost fumble. The Redskins released Banks on September 26, 2010, but re-signed him to the practice squad on September 29.
In his first regular season NFL game, Banks returned his first punt 51 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles
which set up a Redskin touchdown. In Week 5 against the Green Bay Packers
, his responsibilities expanded to include both punt and kick return duties. Banks recorded three punt returns for 47 yards and two kickoff returns for 33 yards, while a 62 yard kickoff return was negated by a holding penalty. In Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts
, Banks blocked a 48-yard field goal attempt by Adam Vinatieri
. In week 8, October 31, 2010 against the Detroit Lions, Banks totaled 271 return yards, setting a franchise record. His 96-yard kickoff return midway through the fourth quarter was the Redskins' first kick return for a touchdown in 70 games, and the first of Banks' career. Later that year Banks broke a big return at home against the Minnesota Vikings
for a touchdown to give the Redskins a lead late in the game, but a penalty negated the return, and the Redskins lost.
Banks is known for performing the John Wall Dance
as his touchdown celebration. Banks and Washington Wizards
point guard John Wall
both grew up in the Raleigh
, North Carolina
area and both currently play professionally in Washington, DC, with Wall as a point guard for the NBA's Wizards. On the morning of Saturday, February 12, 2011 Banks was stabbed along with another man outside a D.C. nightclub following a verbal dispute. He was admitted to Howard University Hospital in Washington D.C with a punctured lung and was released on February 18. The other victim was admitted in critical condition.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was signed by the Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Kansas State
Kansas State Wildcats football
The Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference...
.
Early years
Banks was a four-year starter and two-time all-conference selection at Garner Magnet High SchoolGarner Magnet High School
Garner Magnet High School is a 4AA school in the Wake County Public School System . GMHS has a current enrollment of 2311 students...
in Garner, North Carolina
Garner, North Carolina
Garner is a town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States and a suburb of Raleigh. The population was 17,757 at the 2000 census and was 27,533 in 2009.-Geography:Garner is located at ....
. He led the Trojans to three consecutive conferences championships and a 33–5 record over his final three seasons. He was named to the 2006 USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
All-USA high school track and field team after posting a 10.42 in the 100-meter dash and a 21.44 in the 200 meter dash.
Junior college
Banks earned first-team All-America honors from JC Gridwire as an all-purpose player/wide receiver. He was also named a PrepStar JUCO All-American. He helped lead Bakersfield to a No. 1 national ranking, a 12–1 record on the season and a berth in the Southern California championship game. His 15 touchdowns set a school record.Kansas State
Banks transferred to Kansas StateKansas State Wildcats football
The Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference...
to begin the 2008 season
2008 Kansas State Wildcats football team
The 2008 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the season of 2008–2009. The Wildcats played their home games in Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The head coach was Ron Prince, who was in his third and final season at the helm of the Wildcats...
.
Banks became the second straight Wildcat to earn offensive newcomer of the year accolades after Deon Murphy
Deon Murphy
Deon Murphy is a Canadian football wide receiver for the Calgary Stampeders.-High school:Murphy started three seasons at Klein Forest High School, located in Houston, Texas. He earned second team All-District 14-5A honors in 2004 and was regarded among the top 50 receivers in the state of Texas...
took the honor in 2007. In all, Kansas State has had eight players earn conference newcomer of the year honors since 1996.
He had one of the best seasons in school history for a junior wide receiver after collecting 67 receptions for 1,049 yards and nine touchdowns. He became the sixth player in school history to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a season and his 67 catches and 1,049 receiving yards were the most by a Wildcat junior for a single season.
Banks also contributed on special teams in 2008 as he collected 498 yards on 18 kickoff returns and five punt returns for 58 yards. His 98-yard kickoff return against Nebraska tied for the fifth-longest in school history. Banks' 1,731 total all-purpose yardage in 2008 ranks fifth in single-season school history, while his 144.2 all-purpose yards per game mark checks in at No. 8 on the Kansas State single-season records chart. He was a first team big XII selection on special teams and he was a second team All-American his Senior Year.
College statistics
| Year | GP | Rec. | Yards | Avg | Long | TD |
| 2008 | 12 | 67 | 1,049 | 15.7 | 77 | 9 |
| 2009 | 12 | 56 | 705 | 12.6 | 64 | 1 |
| Total | 24 | 123 | 1,754 | 14.3 | 77 | 10 |
Washington Redskins
After the 2010 NFL Draft2010 NFL Draft
The 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
, the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
signed Banks as an undrafted free agent on May 17, 2010. He returned a punt 77 yards for a touchdown in the first preseason game against the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on August 13, 2010. Against the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, however, he fumbled a return and had inconsistent play against the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
, which included a second lost fumble. The Redskins released Banks on September 26, 2010, but re-signed him to the practice squad on September 29.
In his first regular season NFL game, Banks returned his first punt 51 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
which set up a Redskin touchdown. In Week 5 against the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, his responsibilities expanded to include both punt and kick return duties. Banks recorded three punt returns for 47 yards and two kickoff returns for 33 yards, while a 62 yard kickoff return was negated by a holding penalty. In Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
, Banks blocked a 48-yard field goal attempt by Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
. In week 8, October 31, 2010 against the Detroit Lions, Banks totaled 271 return yards, setting a franchise record. His 96-yard kickoff return midway through the fourth quarter was the Redskins' first kick return for a touchdown in 70 games, and the first of Banks' career. Later that year Banks broke a big return at home against the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
for a touchdown to give the Redskins a lead late in the game, but a penalty negated the return, and the Redskins lost.
Banks is known for performing the John Wall Dance
John Wall Dance
The John Wall Dance is a dance performed by flexing the arms and twisting the wrist. John Wall first performed the eponymous dance during his introduction at Big Blue Madness at the University of Kentucky in October 2009. Wall says that his idea for the dance came from the music video of the song...
as his touchdown celebration. Banks and Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
point guard John Wall
John Wall (basketball)
Johnathan Hildred Wall, Jr. is an American basketball player with the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association. Wall was chosen first overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Wizards...
both grew up in the Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
area and both currently play professionally in Washington, DC, with Wall as a point guard for the NBA's Wizards. On the morning of Saturday, February 12, 2011 Banks was stabbed along with another man outside a D.C. nightclub following a verbal dispute. He was admitted to Howard University Hospital in Washington D.C with a punctured lung and was released on February 18. The other victim was admitted in critical condition.