Interview: 4-Star 2020 Narbonne DE Jordan Banks Updates Season with Championship Game Preview
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
One of the best Class of 2020 defenders in the state of California has been putting his four-star recruiting status to the test all season against top Division I competition. Narbonne defensive end Jordan Banks has gotten after it time and time again raising the bar of his accomplishments. In stats posted through eight games, the 6-3.5, 245-pound, offense crusher has 41 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, five quarterback hurries, and has swatted down two hopeful passes. With his play on the field and massive upside, 12 colleges have offered Banks to date. The list of suitors includes: Auburn, Alabama, Oregon, Utah, San Jose State, Arizona, Florida, Arizona State, Tennessee, Penn State, Washington and Kansas State.
With Narbonne’s punishing defense and high-scoring offense working in tandem, the Gauchos are now 9-3 preparing for a Los Angeles City Championship Game against Garfield (12-0) on Friday. Getting an update on his season with a title game preview, I caught up with Mr. Banks for a quick one-on-one.
Interview
Jordan, the Gauchos defense have been tough all season. What are the overall strengths to the defense this season?
“Our strengths this year are how we rally to the ball, our physicality, aggressiveness, and our team chemistry. We are a family. Everyone knows how to handle their business on the field. The result comes out as it has in our games.”
When you guys practice, what is the mindset in preparation for a game any given week?
“To dominate. Our mindset is to dominate everything we do. We want to be the big dog and we want everyone to know that Narbonne’s defense dominates.”
How do you prepare for a game the day of?
“For me personally, I get my mind set and right on game day. I take my protein shakes, listen to music – to get fired up, and sometimes I watch college videos to get my hyped. After all that, I go to the side to pray and ask God for the strength, maturity, and wisdom to have a great game, and thank him for everything he has done for me. I feel blessed.”
What are teams doing trying to slow your production against them, how are they scheming against you?
“Throughout the season I have received double-teams, sometimes they triple team me. All that does is gives my teammates opportunities to do what they need to do to make plays.”
Which areas of your game are most improved the season?
“My agility, quickness off the ball, getting faster, my reaction, and conditioning has improved. My play recognition has improved a lot. I feel that I have improve overall as an athlete. Every day I try to get better in practice. Iron sharpens iron in practice.”
The team has rolled through the first two games of the playoff beating Venice and Birmingham, how did those games go for you?
“They went well. Venice was a good game. I did what I needed to do to help us get the win. We got a shutout. We were locked in. Against Birmingham, we were locked in but made mistakes allowing them to score. The little stuff that allowed them to score, that is on us. We recognize that. We live and we learn. We went over it the next morning to fix it, we know what we need to do to fix it.”
You get the Open Division championship game on Friday against a very tough Garfield (12-0) team, what are you expecting from the Bulldogs offense?
“We are expecting them to run the ball, they have a good line. They will try to run it down our throats, but that will not work. That has not worked for anyone this season. We will do what we need to do to get that one.”
What is your approach to the game against Garfield?
“I will do whatever I need to do on the field so everyone knows who Jordan Banks is. I make sure they know on the other team who is No. 9. Everything I do, I want to make sure they know who I am. I am out there to demoralize them. I want them to rethink their lifestyle. You have to have that dog mentality out there.”
No playing around.
“No, sir.”
Turning to recruiting. You have 12 offers, which schools are showing interest?
“I am receiving interest from Michigan, Michigan State, Oregon State, USC, and UCLA.”
Last question. What’s the plan for Thanksgiving this year?
“The plan this year is for me, my family and friends to go to Children’s Hospital to visit the cancer patients to give them toys. We will have thanksgiving there. I feel blessed to do this and give back. I love the kids, that is our generation. I want to put a smile on their faces.”
Jordan, that is great of you to do. I appreciate your time today and wish you good luck in the championship game.
“Thank you.”
*Click link for Aug. 7, 2018, RNG interview with Jordan Banks
Photo credit: Twitter.com; Jordan Banks