GAINESVILLE — Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks could have sat out, continued to recover and focused on next steps.
No one would have blamed the Gators’ top NFL prospect after a left foot injury ended his season debut, a Week 3 loss at LSU, and required surgery.
But behind the scenes, Banks pushed to salvage a lost season and close on a high note while inspired by his higher power. A week after a surprise return against Tennessee, he will line up for UF (3-8) against Florida State (5-6) Saturday in the Swamp on Senior Night.
“I was not expecting that,” Banks said Monday. “But I stayed strong, kept fighting through with recovery and stuff like that. And God, just told me, ‘No, you’re gonna go out there and play again. So go out there and play.’”
If Banks could play again for the Gators, he would. A 31-11 home loss last Saturday against Tennessee, UF’s fourth straight defeat, didn’t make Banks reconsider his decision.
“I’m not gonna dwell on it,” he said. “I’m here now with my teammates. Now I just got to keep pushing forward and keep fighting to get where I want to be.”
Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) celebrates after sacking Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart during the Gators’ 24-17 upset of the No. 9 Rebels Nov. 23, 2024, in the Swamp. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Banks has been a 6-foot-5 ¾, 330-pound microcosm of a season featuring key injuries, disappointing losses and a coaching change.
The 22-year-old entered 2025 a potential NFL first-round draft pick from a program viewed as on the rise under Billy Napier. Instead, Banks injured his foot during training camp and returned for just one game and 31 snaps at LSU before he reinjured himself to leave the Gators with a major hole to fill in the middle of the defense.
Banks spent the next two months performing an arduous rehabilitation and wondering whether he’d ever suit up again for the Gators.
“It was hard but just everyday grinding, trainers being on my butt every single day — day in and day out,” he said. “It was a grind.”
Banks’ determination and commitment to his team made an impression.
“I think the world of him for fighting to come back and help our team,” interim coach Billy Gonzales said. “Extremely impressed with him for him to be out there and doing everything that he can do.”
Facing Tennessee’s up-tempo attack, Banks was gassed during the game’s opening series before he settled down to record three tackles.
“It wasn’t really too hard,” he said. “Football is football. You gotta play in order to play it, though.”
A 2023 Louisville transfer and native of Detroit, Banks arrived at UF as a redshirt freshman with limited experience but a high ceiling.
Watching from the sideline, Banks has been impressed by the impact of redshirt freshman Michai Boireau and true freshmen Jeremiah McCloud and Joseph Mbatchou.
“I wasn’t one of those guys that just came out there and balled when I was at Louisville,” Banks said. “Seeing it in the SEC, like, ‘Yeah, OK, ya’ll boys going to be nice when ya’ll mature and understand the game a lot more and a lot better. You’re going to be different.’”
Banks is a bit different himself.
An NFL future, coupled with the Gators’ struggles, might have left him second-guessing a return but instead were secondary considerations.
“I’m grounded where I’m at right now,’ he said. “Just being out there with my brothers, that’s the most important thing. If I’m able to play, then I’m gonna go play.
“I’m not gonna just sit down and not go out there and fight with them — regardless of the situation of what’s going on.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Up next …
FSU (5-6) at UF (3-8)
When: 4:30 p.m., Saturday
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville
TV: ESPN2
Favorite: UF by 1.5 points
