Ole Miss adds four-star safety Travaris Banks; Red-hot Rebel weekend continues with coveted 2024 DB
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss continued a red-hot recruiting weekend as four-star safety Travaris Banks committed to the Rebels Sunday afternoon.
#COMMITTED @OleMissFB @CoachGolding @HHSPatsFootball @Rivals @On3Recruits @247sports pic.twitter.com/N8ewoQVd2y
— Travaris Banks (@BanksTravaris) June 18, 2023
“First and foremost, I would like to thank God for giving me the ability and strength to play a game I truly love. I would like to thank my mother (Shaquanda) for being supportive every step of the way though the ups and downs. I would like to thank my brothers (Jayden and Dylen) for always having my back and motivating me to go harder. I would like to thank my family and friends who have supported me over the years.
I would like to thank all the coaches and trainers who have coached me over the years. Robert Benson, who has been a father figure to me and has consistently motivated me over the years; Mike Vickery, who saw something in me as a freshman and has had my best interests at heart. I would like to thank Coach Jamie Mitchell and the entire Hillcrest Football Coaching Staff who’ve poured so much into me in such a short period of time. Donnie Lee and Trayshon Foster, who’ve invested countless hours in training me, and I would like to thank all the coaches who’ve recruited me. I would like to thank my past and current teammates (Patriots Nation).
Lastly, I would like to thank the entire Ole Miss coaching staff (Coach Kiffin, Golding, and Wes) for giving me the opportunity to further my education and play a game I love at the next level. #RebelNation #hottytoddy“
Banks joins Florida-flip Austin Simmons (QB) and Tennessee native Cameron Clark (linebacker) who also this weekend pledged to join to head coach Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss.
Banks, from Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, had offers from top schools around the country, including: Mississippi State, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Maryland, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Texas A&M to name a few.
He was offered by the Rebels back in June of 2022 and took unofficial visits to Oxford when Ole Miss hosted Central Arkansas on September 10 and again on November 12 when the Rebels hosted Alabama.
The 247Sports Crystal Ball had indicated Banks would choose Mississippi State, but you just never know when it comes to recruiting — especially now with defensive coordinator Pete Golding at the helm.
Banks is the No. 10-ranked overall recruit in the state of Alabama for 2024. He’s also the number 13-ranked safety in the entirety of the nation as recognized by 247Sports.
Although the 6-foot-1.5-inch, 195-pounder has seen action on both sides of the ball in high school, his position at Ole Miss is expected to be safety.
Banks notched 42 tackles and six passes broken up as a junior, while on the offensive side of the ball he tallied over 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns. He also shined on special teams.
💨💨💨 @BrockFlash1 @AL6AFootball pic.twitter.com/6CwxdJZtlY
— Travaris Banks (@BanksTravaris) October 30, 2022
@_SouthernXpress X @TDARecruiting pic.twitter.com/GMk8lnezBf
— Travaris Banks (@BanksTravaris) February 7, 2023
Fit in the ‘Sip
Banks has both quickness and speed and can change directions on a dime. He is a really good size and weight for the Ole Miss secondary. Look for him to add a little weight if he is indeed playing safety for the Rebs. He can also play corner. The young man is also adept at reading and reacting in the passing game, and as a result he has a knack for finding the ball.
Banks is the 11th member of the Rebels’ 2024 class of high school recruits.
Stay tuned as we bring you more recruiting coverage as things are heating up in the ‘Sip!
Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo
Lee Ann is the Director of Recruiting for The Rebel Walk. She is a veteran SEC sports journalist and NFL content writer. She is also the Sr. Editor for MESPORTS digital. Herring-Olvedo is a Brown University graduate who loves good cigars, good games, and a smooth glass of bourbon — not necessarily in that order.
