3-star WR Ardell Banks earns Kentucky offer, plans OV for this weekend

The first week of November has been life-changing for Ardell Banks.

A three-star class of 2023 wide receiver out of Massillon, OH, Banks has earned a trio of Power 5 offers in just the last week. Kentucky and associate head coach Vince Marrow got the ball rolling last Tuesday with a scholarship, his first Division I offer since Miami (OH) all the way back in May. A few days after UK reached out, Cincinnati extended an offer. Tuesday morning, Pittsburgh did the same.

“The last week’s been good,” Banks told KSR Tuesday night. “Because before, as you saw, my recruitment wasn’t buzzing or anything. But after I got the Kentucky offer, I guess other colleges decided they were gonna start paying attention more to me.”

Blessed to receive my 6th D1 offer from The University Of Kentucky💙🤍thanks to @vincemarrow @UKCoachStoops pic.twitter.com/K9T30ozRCp

— Ardell Banks (@50kdell) November 1, 2022

Banks — who also holds offers from the likes of Kent State, South Florida, and Akron — is considered the No. 979 overall high school senior, per the On3 Consensus. A one-time Toledo commit, the 6-foot-4 wideout trained incredibly hard over the summer. Banks notably worked on striking the ball at the point of attack, improving his ability to fight off jams with his hands, and developing his vision. Coach Marrow took notice in recent months and decided Banks was worth taking a visit to see in person.

“I don’t want to sound cocky or anything, but I deserved it. I worked my ass off,” Banks said, “The (Kentucky) coaches came to my game a few weeks ago, got in contact with me, and then ever since (Marrow has) been paying attention and watching me play throughout my whole season. They just decided they were gonna do it.”

With an offer now in hand, Banks has already set up an official visit to check out the UK campus for the upcoming weekend. He tells KSR he’ll be in Lexington beginning this Friday, Nov. 11 before heading back to Ohio on Sunday. As of right now, that is his only OV, but Banks will assuredly take more. Trips to both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh are in the works after his high school football is over. Illinois also wants to get Banks on campus soon.

But Kentucky will get the first opportunity with him. Coach Marrow is a fan of Banks’ size and his ability to track the ball. Banks is also an impressive track and field athlete. He’ll likely get some special treatment this weekend from the UK staff.