Although Notre Dame has already made significant progress at wide out via the transfer portal, the Irish are still in need of a pass catcher, and this weekend they will welcome gifted wideout Jahmal Banks to campus. The 205-pound, 6-4 Banks played his final four seasons at Wake Forest.
Banks and quarterback Sam Hartman were teammates from 2020 to 2022, with Banks emerging as one of Hartman’s primary targets in 2022. Banks caught 42 catches for 636 yards and nine touchdowns in the 2022 season. During that season, Banks averaged 15.1 yards per reception.
Banks led the Deacons in receiving yards and receptions (653 yards) during the previous campaign. He also tied for the team lead in touchdowns (4). Banks caught 107 passes for 1,404 yards and 13 touchdowns in his Wake Forest career, which ended.
In 2022, he had a breakthrough performance in a 51-45 defeat to Clemson. Banks recorded a career-high 141 yards and two touchdown receptions on six receptions during that contest. That season, he would catch multiple touchdown passes in three different games, the second of which was this one.
In a 35-31 defeat to Syracuse, Banks recorded a 7-catch, 90-yard effort to cap up his Wake Forest career.
Although Banks attended St. Frances Academy in Washington, D.C. during his high school football career, he is originally from Alexandria, Virginia. In his first two seasons, he only caught six passes before he collapsed for the Deacons in 2022.
At wide receiver, Notre Dame has already committed two excellent transfer prospects: Kris Mitchell from Florida International and Beaux Collins from Clemson. In addition, the Irish welcome back experienced players Deion Colzie and Jayden Thomas, as well as gifted rookies Jaden Greathouse and Jordan Faison. In the spring, they’ll welcome the bright freshmen class, and KK Smith, a current freshman, is recuperating.
In its search for a third receiver, Notre Dame is obviously aiming for two objectives. The first is to confirm that they possessed the wide receiver depth they were missing the previous two seasons. Due to injuries and already having a small starting lineup, Notre Dame finished both seasons with virtually little playing time. If Banks were to land, the Irish would have the skill depth they need, which would significantly improve their chances of having the depth.
The urge to bring in more external impact talent is the second motivation. Outside receivers Mitchell, Collins, and Banks are the most important players, however Collins is a versatile player as well. Banks, who is 6-4, would also provide size, length, and ball skills to the Irish lineup. He can contribute some downfield skill and play both outside wide spots.
The Irish will be looking to finish off Banks on this trip and put the closing touches on what might be a potent offensive portal class, so this will be an important visit for them. Even without Banks, it’s already excellent, but if the Irish succeed, their offence will gain a great deal more skill, productivity, and experience.
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