Hillcrest football 4-star prospect TJ Banks wows his new team, nears release of top 5 list
Hillcrest football has a big issue removed from its schedule this fall.
Four-star class of 2024 defensive back TJ Banks is now a Patriot after transferring from crosstown Northridge in March.
The nation's No. 149 recruit and No. 11 safety, according to the 247Sports Composite, has been as advertised, Hillcrest coach Jamie Mitchell said. Mitchell already knew so, though, after coaching against Banks the past two seasons.
"He’s got every gift that is needed as a DB," Mitchell said. "He’s long, can run, he’s big. It’s just getting him up to speed mentally on different things we do. He’s a real student of the game. He’s smart, so that’s going to help him a lot. Jayden, his younger brother, is going to be a good one, too."
Banks, 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Florida State, Florida, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Oklahoma. He said he will release a top five during the spring and commit on June 18.
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Since March, Banks has taken unofficial visits to Oklahoma, Florida State, Tennessee and Mississippi State, the first school offer Banks. He visited Florida State, Tennessee, Florida, and Auburn in January.
When Banks faced Hillcrest in 2021 and 2022, Mitchell understood that whoever his new four-star was covering wouldn't make a difference while hoping he wouldn't play offense.
Banks scored nine touchdowns in 2022 with 42 tackles, three for loss, and six pass breakups. He will bring a unique skillset to his choice of college.
"You don’t realize how big he is until you get up next to him," Mitchell said. "He is long. I think that’s a real asset. He’s right at 200 pounds. He’s not a small DB. But then his burst ability and his recovery time is just exceptional. That is more along (what you see) for a smaller DB in just his make-up ability. He’s really gifted in a lot of different ways."
Like Northridge, Hillcrest will use Banks in various ways: cornerback, safety, on offense and on special teams. Mitchell said Banks won't have as many offensive snaps early in the season as he will deeper in the campaign.
Hillcrest hosts its spring game May 11 against 6A state runner-up Mountain Brook, which lost the championship game to Saraland, which beat Hillcrest in the second round.
"He walks in and he’s got a smile on his face," Mitchell said. "His competition level with our established players has been off the charts, and I think that’s really good for him. We’ve got some guys that can make him compete. His ability to jump right in at a high level of competition and feel very comfortable, that, to me, is the thing that stands out the most."
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Hillcrest football 4-star TJ Banks to reveal his top 5 colleges soon
