Top 5 Mississippi State Recruiting Surprises

Aug 8, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end D.J. Tialavea (44) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Johnathan Banks (27) during the second quarter of the game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

5. Johnthan Banks
2009 Signing Class, 3 Star Prospect

Johnthan Banks was considered a solid recruit. He wasn’t on anyone’s radar though to pull off what he did by the time his career in the Maroon and White was over.

Banks was likely going to be a contributor for the football team when he signed on with the Bulldogs in 2009. People weren’t exactly sure where he was going to help the team initially, as he was listed as an Athlete coming out of High School. But with the transition from Croom to Mullen, the Bulldogs needed playmakers immediately and Banks stepped up.

His Freshman season, Banks intercepted four passes, and the most memorable of all of his interceptions might have been this season when he picked off a Tim Tebow pass and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown against Florida.

Banks intercepted a total of 15 passes while in Starkville. His senior season in 2012, Banks won the Jim Thorpe Award for Best Defensive Back in College Football. He is the only player in school history to win on of the National Awards given at year’s end. He would later be drafted in the 2nd Round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Banks was supposed to be a solid player. No one ever expected him to be one of the best in school history at his position.