Spring Spotlight - Jonathan Banks
Mar 14, 2018 | Football
By Evan Drexler
TulaneGreenWave.com
NEW ORLEANS – Every time Jonathan Banks looks at his phone, the memory comes back.
The Tulane redshirt senior quarterback has a familiar image saved as his phone background, one that might cause Green Wave fans some heartburn five months later. The picture, from last year's loss at SMU, shows Banks – after replay review – coming inches shy of scoring a touchdown on a first-and-goal play with nine seconds remaining.
A score there would have given Tulane six wins and sent the Green Wave to their first bowl game since 2013, but Banks was ruled short of the end zone, as time expired.
And now, as Tulane begins its spring practice ahead of his senior year, that moment is giving Banks motivation every time he opens an app.
"I'm just ready to go back out there and prove myself and for us as a team to prove ourselves, and to show that we are a better team than last year because it didn't go as planned," Banks said. "We're just anxious to get out there for the next season."
There's no doubt the final play from 2017 is still in fans' minds. But that was then. Spring practice and the 2018 season is now.
Banks opened practice on a chilly Monday morning throwing spirals and showing off his running game. Outfitted in a bright red jersey, Tulane players can't hit him. Banks knows that if he wants to stay in the game and keep making plays, one of the biggest things he has to improve before the fall is his ability to dodge the hits when don't have the stop-sign red jersey to keep them away.
"From a running game standpoint, I have to stay healthy this season to be able play well," Banks said. "I need to step out more, being able to slide more, throw the ball away in different moments, take fewer hits."
Banks rushed 148 times for 592 yards and seven touchdowns last year – both second on the roster behind the departed Dontrell Hilliard – but his improved passing game was as important to Tulane's late-season success as his legs.
After not breaking 200 yards passing in his first five games of 2017, Banks reached the 200-yard mark in five of the last seven games including a 314-yard performance against the Mustangs. In that final seven-game span, Banks threw for eight touchdowns compared to just four in his first five games.
An increased familiarity with his receiving corps and a strong group of returners will help this year, and Banks has been working with that group extensively even before spring practice began.
The Green Wave's top three receivers from 2017 all return with Terren Encalade, Darnell Mooney and Jabril Clewis all knowing what to expect from their quarterback in 2018.
"Our chemistry [with Banks] grew throughout the season," Encalade said. "After those first couple games we would go to the film room and try to figure out what we need to do right so that we can pass the ball more. That helped us a lot."
Banks also now has a comfort with the offensive system run by third-year coach Willie Fritz. Banks says he knows the plays better, knows what the offense is trying to accomplish and can focus on execution and precision.
If it all works out, Banks could be leading Tulane to a bowl game this year, capping his college career by playing in the postseason for the first time.
"I just feel like that's the minimum for us," Banks said. "This year we're looking to do big things, win 10 games, be on the top of the leaderboard. I'm just anxious to get out here next season."
TulaneGreenWave.com
NEW ORLEANS – Every time Jonathan Banks looks at his phone, the memory comes back.
The Tulane redshirt senior quarterback has a familiar image saved as his phone background, one that might cause Green Wave fans some heartburn five months later. The picture, from last year's loss at SMU, shows Banks – after replay review – coming inches shy of scoring a touchdown on a first-and-goal play with nine seconds remaining.
A score there would have given Tulane six wins and sent the Green Wave to their first bowl game since 2013, but Banks was ruled short of the end zone, as time expired.
And now, as Tulane begins its spring practice ahead of his senior year, that moment is giving Banks motivation every time he opens an app.
"I'm just ready to go back out there and prove myself and for us as a team to prove ourselves, and to show that we are a better team than last year because it didn't go as planned," Banks said. "We're just anxious to get out there for the next season."
There's no doubt the final play from 2017 is still in fans' minds. But that was then. Spring practice and the 2018 season is now.
Banks opened practice on a chilly Monday morning throwing spirals and showing off his running game. Outfitted in a bright red jersey, Tulane players can't hit him. Banks knows that if he wants to stay in the game and keep making plays, one of the biggest things he has to improve before the fall is his ability to dodge the hits when don't have the stop-sign red jersey to keep them away.
"From a running game standpoint, I have to stay healthy this season to be able play well," Banks said. "I need to step out more, being able to slide more, throw the ball away in different moments, take fewer hits."
Banks rushed 148 times for 592 yards and seven touchdowns last year – both second on the roster behind the departed Dontrell Hilliard – but his improved passing game was as important to Tulane's late-season success as his legs.
After not breaking 200 yards passing in his first five games of 2017, Banks reached the 200-yard mark in five of the last seven games including a 314-yard performance against the Mustangs. In that final seven-game span, Banks threw for eight touchdowns compared to just four in his first five games.
An increased familiarity with his receiving corps and a strong group of returners will help this year, and Banks has been working with that group extensively even before spring practice began.
The Green Wave's top three receivers from 2017 all return with Terren Encalade, Darnell Mooney and Jabril Clewis all knowing what to expect from their quarterback in 2018.
"Our chemistry [with Banks] grew throughout the season," Encalade said. "After those first couple games we would go to the film room and try to figure out what we need to do right so that we can pass the ball more. That helped us a lot."
Banks also now has a comfort with the offensive system run by third-year coach Willie Fritz. Banks says he knows the plays better, knows what the offense is trying to accomplish and can focus on execution and precision.
If it all works out, Banks could be leading Tulane to a bowl game this year, capping his college career by playing in the postseason for the first time.
"I just feel like that's the minimum for us," Banks said. "This year we're looking to do big things, win 10 games, be on the top of the leaderboard. I'm just anxious to get out here next season."
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