Former Longhorns linebacker Jaylan Ford and left guard Kelvin Banks Jr. still have faith in Texas football. While they now enjoy professional football careers with the New Orleans Saints, both continue to follow the team and believe in a comeback.
With criticism from the media and fans alike, all eyes will be on the Red River Rivalry game this weekend. As an offensive lineman, Banks is no stranger to the expectations of a high-caliber football team or the pressure that a starting quarterback faces on and off the field.
“When I was playing college, I got my first start as a freshman … I felt like if I didn’t do my job, or if I didn’t win every play, it was really just a mindset thing for us as players,” Banks said. “You lose two games in the top, everybody puts it on (Manning’s) back when he’s the quarterback.”
Even though Manning has faced the most criticism so far, it’s a fact that the backbones of football teams lie in the trenches. There’s a reason why the past two seasons resulted in College Football Playoff appearances, with the offensive line landing a place as a semifinalist for the Joe Moore list [two years in a row](https://texaslonghorns.com/news/2024/11/12/no-3-3-5-footballs-offensive-line-recognized-as-joe-moore-award-semifinalists).
This offensive line, with fresher faces, allowed 35 quarterback pressures and 457 yards last Saturday. However, Banks remains positive about the ability of the big guys to pull through.
“Those guys, you really don’t have to say much to get them rallied and ready,” Banks said. “It’s really just based off them just going out there and doing the technique and listening to what Coach Flood is saying.”
On the other side of the ball, the current Texas defensive interior, despite being filled with talented veterans, still has room to grow. Ford said that the defense has everything to gain from doing well.
“Show up, you make plays, you do your best, get the ball to the offense (and) let them go to work,” Ford said. “I feel like defense gives the crowd energy. When the defense is on third down, everybody’s getting loud. I love that. That’s how you can get the morale again. So, we’ll see. I don’t have many doubts. I think they’re doing really good. Honestly, they just gotta come out there and battle each week.”
As viewers of Texas football, both guys have ongoing bets with fellow teammate and former Sooner Danny Stutsman for the upcoming game this weekend.
“Texas hate week! Texas hate week!” Stutsman said to Banks in the locker room after the Saints’ first win of the season.
If Texas loses against Oklahoma on Saturday, Stutsman will get to decorate Banks’ locker with whatever he wants. However, if Texas wins, Stutsman will have to wear Banks’ old Texas football helmet for an entire team meeting.
Banks and Ford will be looking forward to better play from both the offensive line and the defense as a whole. Otherwise, they’ll find their lockers covered in crimson and white that Sunday as they prepare to play the Patriots.