Plenty of big-time football schools have taken notice of Marcus Banks. For Banks however, there’s still one school out there that he hopes follows suit.
The son of the late Bobby Meeks, Banks grew up a fan of the school his father played for. That’s Florida State.
“I’m aware they don’t recruit here like they do other places,” Banks said. “I was always a big Florida State fan growing up.”
Meeks died unexpectedly last month to complications from what was supposed to be routine surgery. An offensive lineman for the Seminoles from 2000-04, Meeks appeared in 27 games and made 20 career starts.
“Losing his dad at the most critical part of his recruitment process and right before his senior year has been devastating,” said Leah Banks-Meeks, Banks’ mother and Meeks’ widow. “But his dad definitely gave him plenty of information before his untimely passing. With his dad being highly-recruited back then has helped ‘Speedy’ see through a lot of the smoke and mirrors sometimes the recruitment process has.”
At 6-foot and 170 pounds at Dekaney High School in Houston, Banks is listed as a 4-star cornerback by the 247Sports Composite rankings. Banks is listed as the No. 360 overall prospect for 2019 and the 33rd -best cornerback with offers from Texas, Oklahoma, LSU, Florida, Auburn and defending national champion Alabama to name a few.
“My strength is press-man coverage,” Banks said. “I have long arms and I think I have really good speed closing on the ball.”
Although Meeks wasn’t Banks’ biological father, the 4-star prospect said that Meeks was with him from a young age and his dad in every other sense of the word. Banks said he’ll dedicate his senior year to his father.
“I know he’s not going to be here physically, but he’s definitely going to be with me spiritually,” Banks said. “He would always tell me just to enjoy the process and to have fun. He taught me how to be a better man and that the rest would take care of itself.”
Marcus Banks is one of four children who will have to face life after Meeks. Banks-Meeks, his mother, said she is confident that the time her husband spent with the children will have a lasting impact.
“Speedy is a very strong young man and I know with the wisdom his dad has given him, he will be fine and make the best decision for him,” she said. “Bobby was a dad, who sat down and had conversations with Speedy on a daily basis about football, but also being a man of character. He always emphasized to get his degree, because football is only a small part of the man he will eventually become.”
Although he grew up an FSU fan and considers himself a Florida State legacy, Banks has never been on campus. He said he was familiar with former defensive coordinator Charles Kelly’s scheme and how he might fit and plans to learn more about new coordinator Harlon Barnett.
FSU has managed to land big-time players from the Houston area in recent years like linebacker Dontavious Jackson and defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, but that was with a different staff. Banks hasn’t had contact with the previous staff or new head coach Willie Taggart’s staff, but hopes that will change eventually with a scholarship offer.
“I would mean a lot,” Banks said. “It would just make me happy. It would make me smile to be able to play at the same school as my father. I think it would definitely make him proud.”
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
You must be logged in to post a comment Login