This Guy Plays Notre Dame Football: #69 Aaron Banks, Guard

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have a roster full of players, and we want to talk about them all. One Foot Down’s player profile series will take a look at every single one of them, and hopefully we all learn a little bit more about these guys, and Notre Dame’s chances for the upcoming 2020 season.

#69 Aaron Banks, G

Mr. Banks is a rising senior that has two more years of eligibility left. Aaron was a freshman in the 2017 season, but he stayed on the scout team for that entire season. In 2018, Banks saw playing time in all 13 games, and he started for six of those. Last season, in 2019, Aaron started all 13 games because he had to fill in mainly for the loss of Alex Bars who went to the NFL. Bars also sustainted a season-ending injury at the end of September in 2018, so Banks took over his duties then, too. Banks was already beginning his route to starting all the time, but his prowess was definitely needed with a man down for the majority of last season.

Aaron Banks was somewhat of a silent assassain last season. In all 13 games, he was sort of quieter in any large praise people would’ve heaped on the Notre Dame offense or the offensive line. However, Pro Football Focus gave him the second-highest pass blocking number (83.5) on the offensive line. Additionally, he allowed only 2 sacks on the 844 snaps he saw all season. That is a ridiculously awesome stat. I feel like Aaron Banks did not get talked about much for all of his success, but he was pretty damn dominant at that Left Guard position.

Spirit Animal

The Hulk

Photo by Niall Carson/PA Images via Getty Images

Aaron Banks is The Hulk because we don’t seem to hear from him much, and his praise should be heard more. However. like Dr. Bruce Banner, The Hulk comes out to be a strong presence and dominate when he needs to be. Aaron Banks dominantes when he has to do so, and he has proved to be incredibly effective.

Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

2020 Outlook

The outlook for Mr. Aaron Banks seems to be favorable. He is going to start at Guard again because his effectiveness is pretty wild and awesome. As fellow OFD writer Matt Boomer wrote a bit about in the winter, Banks allows a very low QB pressure rate. Coupling that with his low sack rate from last season will be a great combination with Liam Eichenberg on that left side of the offensive line. It will be fun to see Aaron Banks and his continued success this coming season as he protects for Ian Book.