STARKVILLE — Johnthan Banks decided Tuesday not to declare for the NFL draft and to return to the Mississippi State University football program for his final year of eligibility.
Banks, a former East Webster High School standout from Maben, was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the nation’s top defensive back. He also was MSU’s Conerly Trophy representative. That award is given to the state’s top college football player.
Banks, a 6-foot-2 cornerback, submitted the paperwork to the NFL draft advisory board last month. He declined to comment Tuesday about the process. NFL draft analyst Tony Pauline, of SI.com, reported Tuesday that Banks received a fourth-round draft grade.
“I feel like a weight is lifted off my shoulders by making this announcement,” Banks said in a MSU statement. “I’m coming back to Mississippi State to continue my development as a player and a person. I’ve always wanted to play football here, and I love the university, my coaches, and teammates.”
Banks has 12 career interceptions, which is tied for sixth nationally among active players, and his three interception returns for touchdowns is tied for the national lead. He tied for second in the Southeastern Conference with 14 passes defended this season.
“The excitement for John is the decision he made shows a lot of maturity,” MSU defensive coordinator Chris Wilson said. “What happens now is he’ll get an opportunity to be a possible All-American candidate on a solid football team, and those are just some of the things that make college football great.”
MSU football coach Dan Mullen, who has encouraged his players to return to school if they aren’t projected as a first-round selections, also expressed excitement about Banks’ decision.
“I’m extremely proud of John for going through this process, gathering all the information, and making an informed decision,” Mullen said in a MSU statement.
According to NFLDraftScout.com, the 190-pound defensive back was rated ninth-best prospect at his position, and 64th overall player. Banks, who has an infant son, was MSU’s first Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist since Pig Prather (2001). Fred Smoot (2000) was MSU’s only finalist.
“I would love to play football for as long as I can, and my career goal of becoming a State Highway patrolman following my football career will be helped by getting my degree before I leave,” Banks said.
Banks made a name for himself two years ago as a freshman free safety with four interceptions in back-to-back games against Middle Tennessee and the University of Florida. Against Florida, Banks returned two interceptions for touchdowns, including a 100-yard return before the end of the first half.
ESPN.com draft analyst Todd McShay had Banks being taken with the final pick in the first round in his latest mock draft. In the press conference following his team’s 23-17 victory against Wake Forest in the Music City Bowl last week, Mullen expressed his frustrations with mock drafts.
“No disrespect to the media, but none of you guys have a pick,” Mullen said. “We tell our guys to get the information from the NFL people. … These mock drafts through the media, I guess you guys in the media should pony up the money you cost these kids by seeing and reading these huh? I’ve never seen a kid make a mistake by coming back to school and getting their degree, but I’ve seen bunch make a mistake leaving early.”
Banks was a three-star prospect coming out of the East Webster High, and he returns regularly to the school in the Cumberland community. He was a frequent visitor last year after a tornado April 27 ripped through the area and destroyed school buildings and the football field house. The destruction left doubt as to whether the Wolverines would start their football season.
“I remember during the morning after the storm I went out there to check on if everybody was cool,” Banks said. “We all came together as a family and everything is getting fixed up with our program.”
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