Tavian Banks
- Thread starter BirdistheWord
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One of my all-time favorite Hawks. Maybe it's just my eyes, but it seriously looks like his feet never really touch the ground.
Once in a generation talent. He had all the tools, maybe not the perfect size, but man alive -the quickness, vision, agility, and speed.
Those were the good old days ...hanging out with fellow Hawk fans at the local bar on game day ... every time Banks got the hand-off we were on the edge of our seats because he was a threat to break it every time he burst through the hole past the LOS. He was also ahead of the curve in cutting-edge hair styles
Those were the good old days ...hanging out with fellow Hawk fans at the local bar on game day ... every time Banks got the hand-off we were on the edge of our seats because he was a threat to break it every time he burst through the hole past the LOS. He was also ahead of the curve in cutting-edge hair styles
I tried to play defensive end against him in high school. That sucked lol.
He was some player. Really wish he'd have had the opportunity to truly test his skills at the next level
I'm too young to remember much of those years. Didn't he ride the pine until his last year because he was behind Sedrick Shaw? Could be wrong
Actually he played a lot while backing up Shaw. Hayden, (rightly so), realized he just could not keep Tavian off the field.
Tavian Banks and Tim Dwight were fun to watch. It's a shame they didn't get to win a Big Ten championship together. If my memory serves me correct, that team was up 21-7 at halftime at the Big House and ended up losing to a Michigan team that went on to win the Rose Bowl and a share of the NC.
Funny, I made a comment to my dad during last season that Akrum Wadley's running style reminded me of Tavian Banks's---sharp, quick cuts and great acceleration. After watching those highlights, I think the comparison is valid. Obviously, Wadley has a long way to go before he could be compared to the caliber of player Banks was, but the potential is definitely there.
Funny, I made a comment to my dad during last season that Akrum Wadley's running style reminded me of Tavian Banks's---sharp, quick cuts and great acceleration. After watching those highlights, I think the comparison is valid. Obviously, Wadley has a long way to go before he could be compared to the caliber of player Banks was, but the potential is definitely there.
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anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba
Guest
Two things I take away from the highlights: (1) Most of Banks' great runs came after fakes to another back going the other way--misdirection, I think it's called. (2) Like EZ2BJZ, I agree that Wadley, while not an exact clone, has Banks'-like POTENTIAL. With a decent line, misdirection, and 25 carries a game, I am confident Wadley would be a game breaker. I hope KF and GD figure it out. With Wadley a home run threat and a healthy CJ, Iowa's offense could be fabulous this fall. (Let's all think "Misdirection" every day until the opener and see if we can help get the message through.)
His flaw as a running back, was that physical defenses gave him trouble. He would get over 300 yards against mid-majors, and less than 100 against good big ten defenses.
If you had a Tavian Banks who had Shonn Greene's love of contact... Wow.
Deceptively fast. Always smooth. Some harsh criticism for a very humble guy who did make it to he next level and was on the verge a making an impact before a cheap shot out of bounds ends his career.
No. As a City High grad that watched TD every game in high school, I felt the same way until he got to college. He over powered people in HS, but wasn't able to do so as a RB in college. Speed was his weapon and what got his to the league. Banks was the right call, this coming from a partisan TD fan.
"Put it in the Banks. Touchdown Iowa." - Gary Dolphin.
Thats almost on par with his "Coker snorts his way through the line."
Thats almost on par with his "Coker snorts his way through the line."
I think that was the game where DeVries was unstoppable. # 94, that guy could play.
The funny thing is at no time during his high school career was he the best football player in the conference...
Vince Jackson from Central and Ed Gibson from North/Assumption
I said football player...not running back
Vince Jackson from Central and Ed Gibson from North/Assumption
I said football player...not running back
If I remember correctly Vince pitched as a southpaw naturally? But he could also bring the heater throwing right handed. Dude was a freak.
Not to hijack Tavian's thread...but...
When we were kids back in the 'hood the hand Vince threw with depended on whose glove he borrowed...lefty was his stronger hand so we always tried to give him a righty glove...
Most naturally gifted athlete I've ever seen...
Vince didn't play FB as a sophomore or junior. And yes he was one absolute genetic freak. Tavian's speed was another level though.
Banks' senior season he went for 100+ against 6 of 8 B1G teams. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry his senior year. He was the conference offensive player of the year. A truly great player. Ohio State (one of the best defenses in the country) "held" him to 84 yards on 22 carries. Running behind an average OL and plays being called by Hayden toward the end of his tenure basically telegraphed to everyone what was coming, and he was still that good. Once-in-a-lifetime skill position talent from Iowa high schools in he and Dwight on the team at the same time. Have never seen Kinnick crackle with anticipation like when Dwight was getting ready to receive a punt or kickoff, or when the crowd could see that Banks had a hole.
Both great athletes. Vince could do absolutely anything on any playing field.Vince Jackson from Central and Ed Gibson from North/Assumption
I said football player...not running back
Still never forget when Ray Buchanan took him out and blew out his knee...while poor Tavian laid there, Tim Dwight came over to console him....you just don't see that in the NFL with opposing teams....and....
It's hard to believe that Dolph has been calling the action for 20 years now...
It's hard to believe that Dolph has been calling the action for 20 years now...
Vince hit two homeruns off me in a little league game. One, i swear, was still going up as it went over the 200 foot sign. That thing easily traveled 300 feet. Tavian put a juke on me sophmore year in football which would of been played on Sports Center. So they both took me to the woodshed. So either they were very good or i was really bad. I will tell my kids they were very good.
I grew up in Bettendorf with Tavian. From an early age we all knew this kid was going to be a professional athlete. Played AAU basketball with him. He blocked a shot off glass at 12 years old.
Video of Sedrick Shaw for those interested. I can't believe I liked the banana peel unis as a kid
Video of Sedrick Shaw for those interested. I can't believe I liked the banana peel unis as a kid
Sed is, IMHO, one of the 5 best backs in Hawkeye history.
Went over the bike trail and landed in Duck Creek? I think I umpired that game...LE Chute vs Pepsi, right?
I umped one of his games when his team only had 7 players...Vince played 3B SS and LF...despite the automatic 2 outs...they still won...
