Film Room: Ardell Banks

National Signing Day is just over two weeks away, but things have been a little quiet on the high school recruiting front for Kentucky football throughout the 2022 season. That changed on Monday night.

The Wildcats landed a commitment for the first time since August when Massillon (Ohio) Washington wide receiver Ardell Banks (6-4, 180) committed to Kentucky over Arizona State, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Wisconsin.

Kentucky’s 2023 recruiting class has three wide receiver commits and — as of now — the Wildcats will have nine scholarship wideouts on the roster next fall. There is not much scholarship capital left to spend on this position. That should say a lot about what the current coaching staff in Lexington thinks about Banks.

Now feels like a good time to step into the KSR Film Room to see what Ardell Banks can bring to Scott Woodward’s position room. This is a true outside receiver with length and long speed. College offenses are always looking for a vertical field stretcher, and the Ohio native could provide that for the Wildcats.

The No. 1 thing that stands out when digging into Ardell Banks is the pure speed. This is a football player with a track and field background that has recorded a sub-11 time in the 100m and logged a 22.05 in the 200m. That plays out on tape. Banks is constantly pulling away from defensive backs when he’s able to get in space with his motor revved up.

On the slant, Banks sets up the cornerback with ease to create separation and a wide-open throwing window for his quarterback. From there, the speedster is one-on-one with the safety who has no chance in the open field. The speed threat is real with this tall wideout.

The route-running is also very good for this prospect. Out of 22 personnel, Massillon creates a one-on-one opportunity for their star wide receiver into the field. Ardell Banks absolutely torches the opposing cornerback on a vertical concept.

On the vertical, Banks sets up the route inside before bending towards the sideline for a fade. The cornerback bites on the inside move and one step with the DB’s right foot is all Banks needs to win the one-on-one. That creates an easy pitch and catch for a scoring opportunity touchdown from 30-plus yards out.

Banks is constantly creating separation on tape and a lot of that has to do with some good route-running technique as a high school player.

Again, there is just some big-time playmaking potential here. It’s very easy to see the Northeast Ohio prospect turning into a legitimate vertical weapon in college football. On the deep post, Ardell Banks beats the corner and takes advantage of the safety’s lack of depth but finishes the play with some very good ball tracking.

Ardell Banks checks some clear boxes for Kentucky

Ardell Banks was a Toledo commit just a few months ago, but a big senior year where the tall, skinny wideout averaged over 20 yards per reception and scored 12 touchdowns for a semifinalist in Ohio’s Division II got him on a bunch of radars. Kentucky was quick to strike.

The Cats offered Banks on Nov. 1, got him on campus for an official visit less than two weeks later, and conducted an in-home visit the first week of December. That all led to a commitment. Now it’s time to forecast where the three-star prospect will help in Lexington.

Despite being 6-foot-4, Banks is probably not best suited to be an X receiver that lines up into the boundary and faces press coverage. Due to his speed and vertical route-running, the Massillon Tiger could be best suited as a Z receiver that will serve as a vertical threat. Banks is at his best running go routes and posts where the long strider can cover a lot of ground and create explosive plays. That figures to be a good match with Shamar Porter (X) and Anthony Brown (slot) who are both two different receivers. Play strength must be added, but the playmaking traits are there.

Kentucky is nearly finished recruiting wide receivers in the 2023 cycle, but Banks checks a need and can be a fit in any college offense. The Wildcats want to create more explosive plays, and the latest commit can help do that.