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Brant Banks commit: What does it mean for Nebraska?

Nebraska kicked off the early signing day by adding another key piece on the defensive side of the football as Brant Banks announced his commitment and has signed with the Huskers.

The 6-foot-7, 280-pound defensive end had 14 offers to his name and picked the Big Red over the likes of Baylor, Missouri, Boston College, Virginia, Cal and Pitt among others. Banks becomes the 23rd known commit for Nebraska's 2019 recruiting class.

Here are some quick takes on what Banks' commitment means for Nebraska.

Defensive end prospect Brant Banks announced he was signing with Nebraska Wednesday morning.
Defensive end prospect Brant Banks announced he was signing with Nebraska Wednesday morning.
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1. Banks was an early target of Nebraska's landing his offer from the Huskers early last April. Offensive line coach Greg Austin worked as the lead recruiter and defensive line coach Mike Dawson and even head coach Scott Frost were also very much involved. NU was able to get Banks on campus three separate times including his official visit for the home opener and once again for another game this fall before finally securing his commitment during the contact period.

2. Nebraska wants their defensive ends to be tall and athletic with plenty of length and at 6-foot-7, 280-pounds, Banks certainly fits that mold. Everything starts up front in the Big Ten and the Huskers put a lot of focus on getting big athletic defensive linemen in this class to square off against the big offensive lines NU will face on a weekly basis.

3. Banks is still a work in progress which is something Nebraska really likes about him. He's not even close to reaching his potential yet as he was primarily a basketball player just a few years ago and started out as a tight end on the football field. His massive frame is pretty much a blank slate for NU's head strength and conditioning coach Zach Duval to work with.

4. As a defensive end, Banks is a big body for offensive tackles to try and move. He's strong at the point of attack and between that and his length he shows he is hard for opponents to set the edge on him.

5. Banks works with a good base and shows a good bull rush. When he keeps his pad level he can straight up overpower offensive tackles he faced in high school. He does a good job of getting his long arms up in passing lanes as well. Banks will need to keep working on his hands and developing more as a pass rusher, but that will come with coaching and more reps at the position.

6. In addition to being a multi-sport standout, Banks was also a two-way player on the football field for Westbury Christian. In fact, every school that offered Banks, aside from the Huskers, did so as an offensive tackle. That could give NU some flexibility down the road if for some reason things don't happen to progress like they thought they would at defensive end.

7. The commitment of Banks finally gives Nebraska its first player from the state of Texas in its 2019 recruiting class. It would have been the first time since 2016 the Huskers didn't land a player from Texas and just the second time in the Rivals.com era if they were unable to get the Houston native to sign.

8. 2019 Nebraska commit breakdown

12/19/2018 - Brant Banks - DE - 6-foot-7, 280-pounds - Houston, TX - 3 Stars

12/5/2018 - Wandale Robinson - WR - 5-foot-9, 180-pounds - Frankfort, KY - 4 Stars

12/2/2018 - Jamin Graham - OLB - 6-foot-6, 220-pounds - Attalla, AL - 3 Stars

11/18/2018 - Myles Farmer - DB - 6-foot-3, 190-pounds - Atlanta, GA - 3 Stars

10/31/2018 - Javin Wright - DB - 6-foot-3, 190-pounds - Chandler, AZ - 3 Stars

10/28/2018 - Bryce Benhart - OT - 6-foot-9, 300-pounds - Lakeville, MN - 3 Stars

10/25/2018 - Darien Chase - WR - 6-foot-1, 185-pounds - Vancouver, WA - 3 Stars

9/15/2018 - Chris Hickman - TE - 6-foot-6, 205-pounds - Omaha, NE - 3 Stars

9/4/2018 - Dedrick Mills - RB - 6-foot, 200-pounds - Garden City, KS (Waycross, GA) - 4 Stars

8/6/2018 - Quinton Newsome - CB - 6-foot-2, 180 - Suwanee, GA - 3 Stars

8/5/2018 - Michael Lynn - OT - 6-foot-7, 280 - Greenwood Village, CO - 3 Stars

7/23/2018 - Mosai Newsom - DE - 6-foot-5, 260 - Waverly, IA - 3 Stars

7/21/2018 - Nick Henrich- LB - 6-foot-3, 210 - Omaha, NE - 3 Stars

6/29/2018 - Jamie Nance - WR - 6-foot, 160 - Blanchard, OK - 3 Stars

6/22/2018 - Matthew Anderson - OL - 6-foot-7, 250 - Leesville, LA - 3 Stars

6/15/2018 - Ronald Thompkins - RB - 6-foot, 195 - Loganville, GA - 3 Stars

6/6/2018 - Jackson Hannah - LB - 6-foot-3, 234 - Nashville, TN - 4 Stars

6/4/2018 - Luke McCaffrey - QB - 6-foot-2, 180 - Highlands Ranch, CO - 3 Stars

6/1/2018 - Desmond Bland - OL - 6-foot-4, 300 - Yuma, AZ (Flossmoor, Ill.) - 4 Stars

5/5/2018 - Rahmir Johnson - RB - 5-foot-10, 170 - Oradell, NJ - 4 Stars

3/5/2018 - Ethan Piper - DE - 6-foot-4, 280 - Norfolk, Neb. - 3 Stars

11/24/2017 - Garrett Snodgrass - ATH - 6-foot-3, 220 - York, Neb. - 3 Stars

6/24/2017 - Garrett Nelson - OLB - 6-foot-3, 236 - Scottsbluff, Neb. - 3 Stars

9. Commits by position

1 - Quarterback

3 - Running back

3 - Wide receiver

1 - Tight end

4 - Offensive linemen

0 - Defensive tackle

3 - Defensive end

2 - Outside linebacker

2 - Inside linebacker

1 - Safety

2 - Cornerback

1 - Athlete

0 - Special teams

10. Where are they from?

5 - Nebraska

4 - Georgia

2 - Colorado

1 - Alabama

1 - Arizona

1 - Iowa

1 - Illinois

1 - Kentucky

1 - Louisiana

1 - Minnesota

1 - New Jersey

1 - Oklahoma

1 - Tennessee

1 - Texas

1 - Washington

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