Caleb Banks has played in only two games this season after a breakout 2024 season. (Photo: Jordan Perez/UAA Communications)
Banks Seeks Strong Finish To Gators Career — And Another Win Over FSU
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 | Football, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The promise loomed large four months ago as Caleb Banks strolled around the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta in a stylish suit, followed by TV cameras and countless questions about the upcoming season. Banks, one of Florida's top returning players, was there for the annual Southeastern Conference Media Days, the league's showcase event to get fans excited about football and promote its top players.
Banks emerged as a hopeful piece of the future with breakout performances in home victories over LSU and Ole Miss at the end of the 2024 season, boosting his stock so much that early 2026 NFL Draft projections had Banks as a potential high first-round pick. At 6-foot-6, 330 pounds, Banks possesses a blend of power and speed that projects well at the next level.
Banks, much like Florida fans and the media, was bullish about the Gators' prospects.
"I feel like it's going to be a really great year for us,'' he said.
A much different scene transpired on Monday afternoon on the second floor of the Heavener Football Training Center. Banks stood off to the side, a group of UF beat reporters huddled around him. A preseason contender for the Nagurski Trophy – awarded to the top defensive player in the country – Banks has more modest goals as his college career comes to a close on Saturday when the Gators (3-8) host rival Florida State (5-6).
First, he wants to finish the season with a victory over the Seminoles, and second, Banks is eager for another opportunity to play after missing nine games this season following foot surgery.
"We're gonna do our best to prevent them from having a bowl game,'' Bank said. "Just going out there with [my teammates] and going after the ball to finish strong. That's the most important thing. 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."
Banks has mixed emotions about his last outing against the Seminoles.
The return of Caleb Banks has been a bright spot for the Gators during a difficult 2025 season. (Photo: Trenton Bardi/UAA Communications)
The Gators beat the Seminoles a year ago in Tallahassee, snapping a two-game losing streak in the series and providing Banks a taste of victory against Florida's in-state rival. However, he suffered a hernia injury in the game and missed UF's win over Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl.
That was the start of what has been a challenging year for Banks, a Detroit native who transferred from Louisville to Florida following the 2022 season. He missed spring camp due to a foot injury, then reinjured it in preseason camp and did not play until the third game of the season against LSU.
The 31 snaps he logged against at Tiger Stadium were the only ones he took until playing 37 in Saturday night's home loss to Tennessee. Banks underwent surgery and then a grueling rehab process to get back on the field when most didn't expect to see him again in a Gators uniform.
"I was not expecting that," Banks said. "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.' It felt great."
The Gators are thankful to have him back, even if it's only for the final two games of what has been a disappointing season that led to the firing of head coach Billy Napier and the possibility of the program's first nine-loss season in 46 years if they lose to FSU.
"He worked his butt off to get back,'' fifth-year senior offensive lineman Austin Barber said. "Getting banged up, you see him in the training room. He's been working, and I'm really proud of Caleb."
In his return to the lineup, Banks made his 23rd career start for UF and finished with three tackles. Banks garnered attention with his 2.5-sack performance in last year's win over LSU, earning SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors and elevating his draft status.
A year later, Banks is out to prove he is healthy and chasing a final memory with the Gators.
While others speculate about Banks' NFL value, he said his motivation to return was about his teammates and capping a difficult season with a rivalry win.
"I really wasn't thinking about that at the moment. I'm still not currently thinking about that,'' he said. "I'm grounded where I'm at right now. So, just being out there with my brothers, I think that's the most important thing. If I'm able to play, then I'm gonna go play."
To get back onto the field, Banks began the rehab process in a pool to protect his foot from putting too much weight on it. He gradually pushed himself to where he felt confident and ready to play.
"Honestly, it was at times where they would say, 'Don't put pressure on your foot,' and I would kind of see if I can do it. I was like, 'Oh yeah, I'll be back a little bit quicker.' It's very, very hard. Extremely hard, but you gotta stay strong."
Florida interim head coach Billy Gonzales watched as Banks made his long-awaited return against the Vols and considered it a good first step back.
In Banks' absence, young defensive linemen Joseph Mbatchou, Jeramiah McCloud and Brien Taylor Jr. have helped fill the void. Still, Banks is a difference-maker the Gators have sorely missed.
Caleb Banks is eager for his final game at 'The Swamp' on Saturday against Florida State. (Photo: Trenton Bardi/UAA Communications)
"I thought he battled,'' Gonzales said. "The one thing that you can probably tell after the first series is he's winded, he was gassed. He hadn't been out there for a long time. I think the world of him for fighting to come back and help our team. He'll be better this week. But you can see the power and the strength."
Banks answered modestly when asked what the Gators missed without him, offering, "I would have been out there doing what I do."
He has tried to push past the "what-if" scenarios. They do him no good.
"I'm not gonna dwell on it," he said. "I'm here now with my teammates. Now I gotta keep pushing forward and keep fighting to get where I want to be."
And on Saturday, that is with his teammates one final time at The Swamp.
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