Interview with West Liberty State cornerback Darren Banks.

What is your current height, weight and workout numbers?
Banks: I was 5’10, 178 or 179 at my junior day and I ran a 4.5 forty. My bench is 3 reps of 260, my vertical was 38 inches, broad jump was 10’6, and I did the agility drill in 4.15.

Did you play any other sports in high school besides football?
Banks: I played basketball.

Why did you decide to transfer from Marshall?
Banks: When coach Pruitt and I didn’t really get along with the other coaches. There were a lot of reasons such as not knowing who would come in and not knowing what the terms were going to be. My buddy transferred down here and I decided to come down here.

Where did you go to high school?
Banks: I graduated from Camden High in New Jersey.

What is your major and GPA?
Banks: Sports Management and my GPA is about a 2.5.

When do you expect to graduate?
Banks: I graduate in December.

What is your learning style? (board only, board & walk thru or visual-have to see it)
Banks: All of that to tell you the truth. I am a fast learner so once I see something in any form it sticks with me.

What is the biggest adversity you had to overcome in your college career or life?
Banks: I would say adjusting from the struggle I had been going through and doing a good job in football and focusing on trying to get to the next level. I need to help my mom out. Just being the person who I am now.

Talk about your family background such as parents, siblings, and employment.
Banks: Growing up I had a rough life. I stayed with my father who was single and he ran the streets a lot so I didn’t have a guided home school wise. I got in trouble and had to move with my mom, along with my brothers and sisters. Growing up in that environment with the number one murder capital I had to make the best of it. My mom was my biggest influence. She was like both parents to me. I just kept my head on and got out there.

Are you married or single?
Banks: Single.

Do you have any kids?
Banks: None.

Do you have any relatives who played in the NFL?
Banks: I have a close friend who played in the NBA but no one in the NFL.

After playing in both the FBS and D2 level, what is the biggest difference?
Banks: I am not going to say D2 is easy but it is a level you can kill it in. I like competition so coming down from a top level and not having it every game but it being spread out more it is a big advantage I have. It doesn’t bother me but now I am just focused on what I have to do to put my name up top and let them know that even though I am in D2, I am still the same.

What do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses?
Banks: My strengths are having ball-hawking ability, I love the ball. Being able to return kicks, punts, and play offense. My weakness is a little bit of my speed and staying low in my back pedal. I get excited and I like to hop up, get up and go. I need to stay low. That is one thing I am working on right now.

What is the highlight of your career?
Banks: Four interceptions and two touchdowns against Kentucky Wesleyan.

Do you feel you are better at man or zone coverage?
Banks: That is tough because I do a heck of a job at both. I am a heck of a zone cover guy but I can play man too. Even though I don’t have that blazing speed my game speed is blazing compared to my timed speed. I can stick guys but I don’t know. I am tough in both of them. In my defense I am on an island every play. Nine times out of ten we go in man and I get most of mine in man so I would go with man.

Who is the best player you have faced in your career?
Banks: I played against some great athletes. The toughest guy I played against would have to be Albert Young from Iowa. There are a couple guys. I would have to say my freshman year, Marcus Vick and DeAngelo Hall.

Who is the best player on your team?
Banks: My cousin Branden Ore. He is a heck of an athlete. We have been battling since little league.

Is there anyone else on your team who has NFL potential?
Banks: Branden Ore, our linebacker Nick Harding, and our quarterback Zach Amedro. They are tough. Nick is going to be a junior and Amedro is going to be sophomore.

What are your goals for this year?
Banks: My goals are to work hard, win a national championship and get drafted.

What are your future goals?
Banks: NFL man. NFL. NFL. Getting better and being one of those sleepers like Jerry Rice. I want to get in the league and dominate. Just because I came from West Liberty doesn’t mean I can’t play.