Banks plans MSU visit

Last weekend Dominique Banks returned to his old stomping grounds in Port Gibson (Miss.) to visit family and friends and watch a family member graduate high school. Now playing football at Ryan High School in Denton, Texas, the 6-foot-3 and 250-pound defensive end plans another important trip to the Magnolia State.

Banks received an offer from Mississippi State in mid-May and plans to get a first-hand glimpse of his favorite program.

"I am going to their camp on June 5th and visit the school for a couple of days," said Banks. "I am not going to participate in camp but I am going to use that time to see the school and visit with the coaches. They are definitely my leader and I told Coach Chris Wilson I wanted to look around their camps before I decide on committing or anything. Coach Wilson told me there was nothing wrong with that and my dad is coming with me and then my cousin from Port Gibson is going to be at the camp, too.

"My dad was pretty excited when I got the Mississippi State offer and my mom is very proud, too. My dad said he has a lot of friends still in Starkville so it should be a good time. Some others schools want me to visit, too, this summer but Mississippi State will probably be my only trip."

Following his MSU offer, Banks has continued to reel in other offers and currently holds offers from MSU, Arkansas, Colorado, Arizona State, Illinois, New Mexico, North Texas and Arkansas State.

But with each new offer, Banks told the coaches from those schools a common theme.

"Arizona State and some others offered me," said Banks. "I enjoyed getting those offers and it felt good to know they really like me. And then Alabama and Virginia also stopped by spring practice to see me, too.

"But those schools that offered me, I told them that Mississippi State was first on my list because they are in my home state. I really like Mississippi State's defense, their whole team and I want to be closer to my home and be around family."

Looking ahead to his senior year, Banks just concluded some of those preparations with spring drills at Ryan High School.

"Our spring went great," said Banks. "We had a lot of great seniors last year on the defensive line and this spring I busted my butt because I know I am the starter now and I have to be one of our leaders. I got a lot better with my footwork, my hand techniques and I got stronger and just kept at it every day."