by Lee Brecheen
 |
| Kedrick Banks |
June 29, 2011 - I wrote about a young man earlier in the year named Marcus Hall from St. Charles High School, who is super quick and fast for such a little guy with big time breakaway speed. Today I write about the most explosive athlete in the city of New Orleans in Kedrick Banks (5-10,165) from McDonogh 35 High School in the city of New Orleans.
Kedrick Banks’ take off speed is off the charts in open field, and his toughness for such a small player is big time when it comes to taking hits. There is no other player in New Orleans that has the God given speed that this kid has in space. In his 2010 junior season, Banks had to share getting the ball with another big time skill player in Charles Henderson (5-9,180) who signed with DIV 1 Utah in the 2010 class. Charles Henderson is an SEC player who got away from the big schools and will be a star for Utah.
Kedrick Banks has good stats, but the combination of having Henderson on the same offense, being double teamed and triple teamed most games, and the fact his QB last year, Kentucky signee Theltus Cobbins (6-1,195), missed some games because of an injury, slowed down him being more featured in the offense. This kid will be a nightmare for college defenses playing in the slot, or returning punts and kicks with his 4.4/40 speed. If I showed you 10 plays from 2010 with Banks in them, your jaw would drop because of how gifted he is speed wise and his quickness in the open field.
Kedrick has two brothers that were gifted at McDonogh 35 High School in Delvin Breaux (6-1,190), who signed with LSU, but never played because of a high school neck injury, and brother Lionel Breaux (6-0,190), who played for Ole Miss and started for two years as a WR in 2010 season as a senior. Kedrick has more speed than both his brothers, and they were big time players coming out of high school.
A lot of big DI schools don’t like investing in small slot type players, but like I wrote with Marcus Hall from St. Charles, whoever gets this kid, will look like a genius in recruiting 2 or 3 years from now as a coach. The things this kid can do with a football you can’t coach. I look forward to watching Kedrick Banks in person and film for his senior season in 2011. I enjoyed the excitement he brought to the games that I saw his prior two seasons in 2009 and 2010.
Be sure to read more about the McDonogh 35 team and coaches for the 2011 season in the preview issue of Louisiana Football Magazine which you can pre-order now at www.lafootballmagazine.com/store.
I hope you enjoy the article below written by writer Taylor Williams.
Interview by Taylor Williams
LAFM: You’re listed as an athlete, so what all positions do you play?
KB: I play receiver, running back, and cornerback. And I’m the kick returner and punt returner.
LAFM: And of those, which do you see yourself playing at the next level?
KB: Most likely I see myself as a cornerback or receiver, but maybe with some special teams on the side.
LAFM: How old were you when you first started playing, and what do you like most about it?
KB: I think I was five or six when I first started playing, and I’ve just always liked how the game is physical; the contact of it, everything, I just love the game.
LAFM: As a player, what is your biggest strength and your biggest area for improvement?
KB: Speed is definitely my biggest strength, and my improvement involves just knowing the game more.
LAFM: Are you originally from Louisiana, and are you trying to stay close to home?
KB: Yeah I grew up in New Orleans but it really doesn’t matter. I think I’d be fine if I went far or stayed close either way.
LAFM: As a kid, what teams and players did your root for?
KB: Well I grew up watching LSU but I was never too big a Saints fan. That’s about it.
LAFM: What are some schools you’ve gotten looks from at this point, and are you leaning towards any particular one?
KB: LSU, Texas A&M, Utah, Kentucky, Southern Miss, and Ole Miss. And of those, I would say LSU, Kentucky, or Utah.
LAFM: And have you been to any camps?
KB: I’ve been to the LSU camp and am planning on going to more- Ole Miss, Southern Miss, the ones that are close by, I’m probably not going all the way out to Utah.
LAFM: Do you have any close friends on the team being recruited by the same schools?
KB: No not really but I’ve definitely got some friends that are being looked at.
LAFM: What are some of your goals for next season?
KB: Really just to lead my team to the championship. We’ve never made it past the second round. I’m trying to get All-State, get more than 1000 yards receiving, and just tryto lead my team.
LAFM: Talk a little bit about what it’s been like playing for your head coach.
KB: Coach Reese is a good coach who likes to have everything organized and disciplined, and I like him as a coach. He teaches us next-level stuff so we know what to look for when we get to college.
LAFM: What are some games that stand out as memorable personal or team performances at this point in your career?
KB: The first four games of last year, against Acadiana, Thibodeaux, Brother Martin, and St. Augustine, I think, those were the biggest games of the season. St. Aug is also our biggest rival and who I like playing the most.
LAFM: Has anyone in your family played football at the college level?
KB: Yeah, I have two big brothers; one went to Ole Miss and one went to LSU, both attended McDonogh 35 and played cornerback/wide receiver like me.
LAFM: Have you thought about what you might study in college?
KB: Not really, I’m still thinking about it.
LAFM: And finally, what are your current height, weight, and forty time?
KB: 5-10, 170, and 4.4/40
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
