Texas OT Kelvin Banks named an Outland Trophy finalist

Texas junior left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. has been named one of three finalists for the 2024 Outland Trophy, the Greater Omaha Sports Committee announced Tuesday. The Outland Trophy is awarded annually to the nation’s best college interior lineman on offense or defense.

[Join Inside Texas TODAY and get ONE WEEK for just $1]

Four Longhorns have previously won the Outland Trophy, which has been given annually since 1946. Most recently, defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat won the award in 2024. Defensive tackle Scott Appleton brought it home in 1963, while guard Tommy Nobis collected it in 1965, and defensive tackle Brad Shearer won it in 1977. All four of Texas’ Outland Trophy recipients are native Texans. Banks becomes the ninth finalist for the trophy in program history.

In addition to being named an Outland Trophy finalist Banks was also selected as a finalist for the Lombardi Award and is a part of an offensive line that is a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award.

Banks is a third-year offensive lineman who has played in and started in 38 games with the Longhorns. The Humble, Texas, product received multiple national honors this season, including the Outland Trophy’s National Player of the Week on Oct. 15, and SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week on Sept. 30 and Oct. 14. Prior to the season, Banks was named preseason First-Team All-America by the Associated Press, CBS Sports, ESPN, Sporting News and The Athletic in addition to being honored on the preseason First-Team All-SEC by the media and league’s coaches. He was also on to the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award preseason watch lists.

Behind Banks’ veteran leadership on the offensive line this season, Texas ranks 12th nationally in team passing efficiency (160.71), 13th in completion percentage (0.676), 15th in scoring offense (36.5 ppg), 17th in passing offense (279.7), and 18th in total offense (44.94 ypg). The line has protected QB Quinn Ewers, who also sits amongst the nation’s best in several individual statistical categories, including 13th in passing TDs (23), 14th in points responsible for per game (16.2), 15th in completion percentage (0.680) and 19th in passing efficiency (154.1). The Texas offense has rushed for 100-or-more yards in 10 of 11 games this season and has surpassed 200 rushing yards three times after doing so against ULM, Florida and Kentucky.

Through 11 games, Texas is averaging 36.5 points per game, 449.4 total yards per game and 6.4 yards per play. The 6.4 yards per play currently stands seventh in UT history, while the offense’s 270.7 passing yards per game is eighth. Last season’s offense finished third in total offense (477.5) and fourth in yards per play (6.67).

In its last two games against Kentucky and Arkansas, the Texas offense has produced game-clinching drives behind its offensive line. With Texas leading 24-14 in the fourth quarter against Kentucky, Banks and the line cleared the path for an epic 15-play, 86-yard touchdown drive that lasted 8:22 and consisted entirely of rushes. The drive started at 11:32 and ended at 3:10 to extend the lead to 31-14.

Against Arkansas, Texas was able to run out the last 6:55 of the game, earning four first downs in the process, to prevent Arkansas from having another possession and secure the 20-10 win.

The recipient of the 2024 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Dec. 12. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 22, 2025.

This week, Texas closes out the regular season on the road at No. 20/19/15 Texas A&M at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 30, at Kyle Field. ESPN’s College GameDay will be airing live from the Texas A&M campus from 8-11 a.m. Saturday hosted by Rece Davis, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, Kirk Herbstreit and other ESPN personalities.

(via Texas release)