The pregame practice sessions ahead of the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl begin on Tuesday, kicking off the countdown to one of the most prestigious showcases of future NFL draft talent.
Among the many storylines this week is that of former Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks, who opted to return to Gainesville instead of entering the NFL draft last year. Unfortuitously, he ended up missing most of the 2025 season after sustaining a foot injury during preseason practice.
Despite the setbacks, expectations remain sky-high for the 6-foot-6-inch, 330-pound defender originally from Detroit. In fact, CBS Sports writer Josh Edwards expects Banks to “steal the show” this weekend.
“Banks was limited to just two games due to a broken foot, but he was considered a potential first-round pick coming into the season,” Edwards begins. “It’s a similar situation to Deone Walker, who was taken in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft and had a promising rookie year for the Bills.
“Both are towering human beings. Walker, like Banks, was regarded as a likely first-round pick prior to his final season and then spent that year playing through injury in Lexington. Walker may be a cautionary tale that ultimately benefits Banks,” he concludes.
Banks held a high-round draft projection coming out of the 2024 season and was… ahem… banking on a strong fall campaign to improve his value. His injury might have tarnished his draft stock with some teams, but the strong intangibles he possesses may still have luster for others — but he can still answer a lot of questions on the field in Mobile.
About the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl
“The Panini Senior Bowl is the premier college football all-star game and the official first step in the NFL Draft process,” the official website states. “For more than 76 years, Mobile, Alabama, has proudly hosted this historic event, making it the longest continually running all-star game in football.”
The game will be played on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football’s Caleb Banks expected to break out at Senior Bowl
