James Banks

Class:
Senior
Height:
6-1
Weight:
215
Position:
LB
Hometown:
Junction City, Ore.
High School:
Sheldon HS
Prev School:
Alabama-Birmingham

2017: Banks is expected to be a starter and one of three returning linebackers for the Griz in his senior season.

2016: Academic All-Big Sky... Banks played in all 11 games and was sixth on the team with 54 tackles … Had two tackles for a loss totaling four yards … Registered three QB hits, third most on the team … Had one pass break-up and one pass defended … Posted a career-high 10 tackles on Sep. 24 against Cal Poly … Recorded at least one tackle in 10 of the 11 games … Recorded eight tackles and a TFL Oct. 22 against Northern Arizona... Awarded the Larry and Kristin Stayner Family Athletic Scholarship at the annual Lindsay Awards Banquet.

2015: Missed the 2015 season after UAB dropped its football program.

2014: Played in 11 games for the University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers as a sophomore… Recorded nine tackles (seven solo), one tackle-for-loss, one sack, a pass breakup, a pass deflection and recovered one fumble.

2013: Played his freshman season at the New Mexico Military Institute… El Toro Bowl champions in 2013… Named El Toro Bowl defensive MVP and second team All-Western States Football League linebacker as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Sheldon HS in Eugene, Ore., in 2013 where he earned four letters in football and three in basketball… His football team won the Southwest Conference championship in 2012 and was Oregon 6A state champions also in 2012… He was an honorable mention All-League linebacker in 2010 and honorable mention All-League running back in 2011… He was a first team All-League linebacker in 2011 and 2012 and a first team All-State linebacker in 2012… His senior year in high school he had a school record 182 tackles.

PERSONAL: Banks major is chemistry …His parents are Jill and Fred Banks of Junction City, Ore… He is a certified private pilot.