By the end of his junior year, Montour (Pa.) High School defensive back E.J. Banks already had 20 offers. By his senior season that number had doubled.
With powerhouses like Ohio State, Florida, Georgia and Nebraska all knocking on the 6-foot, 175 pounders door, the decision of the northeastern secondary ace commit to Charlie Weis’ Fighting Irish wasn’t as easy as some might suspect.
“It came down to Notre Dame and Ohio State and it was really, really close,” Banks said. “I could see myself playing at either place. They both are great schools for football and academics. Honestly, I didn’t know for sure that it was going to be Notre Dame until about a week before I committed (August 8). I took a second unofficial visit there at the end of June and it was talking to Coach (Corwin) Brown that really broke the tie for me.
“I was looking for a coach that had a really good scheme and used DBs a lot,” he said. “I was looking for a coach who could teach me not just on the field but for my future in the regular world. Coach Brown is that type of guy. I really liked the way he was with his players and the kind of guy he his. I knew after my visit that I wanted to play for him.”
Banks admits that depth played a big part in his choice for South Bend over Columbus. “There’s a better opportunity to play early at ND,” said the Scout.com three-star prospect. “That was really the biggest thing. Depth chart-wise, Ohio State brought in a bunch of DBs last year. Notre Dame is losing a bunch of guys this year and there is a lot better chance I could play early there.
“Also, Coach Weis seems to play more freshman than Coach (Jim) Tressel,” Banks said. “I know anywhere there was going to be competition and I expect it, but I just thought it was the perfect time to come in at Notre Dame. The program is on the way back up and it was exciting to think I could play a part in the team’s return to greatness.”
Banks’ collegiate career isn’t starting out quite as he expected it to. “The last game of the season I tore my ACL,” he explained. “It actually completely exploded. I had complete reconstruction surgery in November. When it happened I was a little worried about what Coach Weis and Coach Brown might say. But they have been completely supportive and great. Coach Weis told me that he is not worried about it.
“Just by the way they stood behind me through all of this told me that I was in the right place, with the right coaches,” Banks said. “I think people might be worried that I might not be up to the job, but I know I’ll be ready. I just want to show people that I am the right guy, injury or not. I’m working really hard and I’m feeling really good. I know I’ll be one hundred percent for spring ball, no doubt about it.”