Coming out of high school, college prospects are allowed five official visits with colleges. With the NFL, teams are allowed 30, commonly referred to as “30 visits.”
This is where the club will bring in a kid, show him around the facility, have him meet coaches, scouts, front office personnel, the GM, and usually the owner. Then, a meal at one of the coach’s favorite local spots.
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All of this is designed to give everyone in the organization an opportunity to get
to know the athlete on a personal level. Not necessarily to find out where their head is at, but to engage with him and find out if they believe he is a fit. They already know if he matches on the field; that’s why they brought him in. But the off-practice field aspect is important as well.
The Arizona Cardinals have brought in their first player on the “30 visit” program when DT Caleb Banks of Florida visited this week.
First off, Banks is a very huge man at 6’-6” and a beefy 327 pounds. He dominated the premier offensive linemen at the Senior Bowl. He is a surprisingly good pass rusher instead of the customary role of being a run stuffer.
LINK: CALEB BANKS SENIOR BOWL INTERVIEW
Before the Senior Bowl, Banks had a draft grade of going in the high third round. Now, he is a solid high second-round pick, and would not surprise anyone if he heard his name in the bottom of Round 1. His sheer size jumps off the board right away. He has a frame that offensive linemen find hard to move, as evidenced by his dominance at the Senior Bowl against the elite defensive linemen in attendance.
The Cardinals own the second pick in Round 2 at the #34 slot. That would be a perfect time to jump all over Banks.
What development NFL scouts wanted to see coming into the Senior Bowl practice week was how Banks could hold his ground and the hustle on backside pursuits when most big-bodied men would slow down or simply quit on the chase. Banks has legitimate pursuit skills and is a very good run stuffer.
For one, Banks is durable, although he did deal with a foot injury last year. He played in 34 college games and was a significant contributor for Florida’s defense. He had 10.5 sacks, including seven in 2024. He has heavy hands and can stun blockers with his initial punch. His motor runs hot.
Pad level does remain an ongoing concern with Banks. When tired, he tends to play more upright. But he has natural power at the point of attack.
Last year, with the “30 visits,” Arizona brought in DT Walter Nolen and then took him in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. Nolen is 6’-4”, 300 pounds. Think about the pairing of Nolen with Banks and that wall of pure meat facing offensive linemen.
