After being named the Offensive MVP of The Star-Herald All Area team in 2016 after rushing for 1002 yards, Kosciusko senior running back/linebacker Kadarius Banks is ready for the 2017 season. Motivated by his team’s lack of success in 2016, Banks feels he is stronger, smarter and better equipped to get the Whippets back on the winning track in 2017. “It feels great to be selected to the Elite 8 because now people are going to be watching me,” said Banks. “It’s something that I’ve always wanted to be and it is now that time of year to make everything right. It is our responsibility to make everything right and be the best that we can be this year (2017).”
Banks has been described as a back that plays much bigger than his size. He stands 5-8 and weighs in at 180 pounds, but he is a relentless runner who has no problem running through folks or around folks and will be utilized on the defensive side of the football as well. “Kadarius (Banks) had a great year last year and in the spring he showed his work ethic on the football field, he is a practice player and he just loves the game,” said Kosciusko head football coach Kelly Causey. “He’s got a lot of God-given talent that he is utilizing and he will be an asset. He will also play on both sides of the ball a good bit, but he will definitely be one of our star running backs.”
Banks wants to play football on the next level and will major in business administration while in college. His favorite college team is Ole Miss and his favorite things to do are working out and spending time with his family. His is known by teammates and friends as “Swolley” and laughed when I asked him how the nickname came about. “I got the name when I was younger because I was a little overweight as a kid,” smiled Banks. He is anything but that now on the football field.
“He is a playmaker on the football field, no doubt”, added Causey. “I am excited about what he can do for us this year.”
Banks feels he will be a much better player this year as compared to last year because he feels like he was not working out nearly as hard last year as he is now. “I feel like I am going to have a great year this year,” added Banks. “I’ve gotten bigger and stronger and I’ve gotten faster. I know that there are teams out there that are working just as hard as we are you know, so we can’t slack. We had a bad season last year and I feel like everyone is going to take us lightly, but I will be the first to tell you, we are coming this year.”
When asked about who he is away from the football field, Banks was quick to say, “I am a fun guy to hang around and I don’t like any trouble. I work my hardest on the field and I work my hardest in the classroom. You can’t go anywhere else if you don’t have the grades. It’s my last year this year and I will give it my all. We are all giving it our all this year and we are motivated by those that are doubting us.”
With one last thing to say about what he would want an opponent to remember most about him, Banks concluded, “That I was the best they played against and that I never backed away or down from anybody.”
The Whippets will play in the Philadelphia Jamboree on August 11 and will open the regular season at home on August 18 against the Neshoba Central Rockets.
