Florida Gators defensive tackle Caleb Banks decided to stay for his final year of college eligibility rather than declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, aiming to boost his draft stock and improve his run defense. His season was hampered by a foot injury he suffered late in fall camp, causing him to miss the first two games. Banks aggravated the injury, breaking his left foot in Week 3 against LSU, requiring surgery and forcing him to miss the next seven games, though he returned for the final two contests.
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Banks impressed at the Senior Bowl, boosting his draft stock. He followed that up by having an impressive performance at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, with many projecting him as a first-round pick.
Florida Gators’ projected 1st-round pick suffered a major injury
NFL Scouting Combine, Caleb Banks
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks (DL02) runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
According to Dane Brugler of The Athletic,Caleb Banks suffered a broken fourth metatarsal in his foot the night before on-field drills at the NFL Scouting Combine, during which he had a partial workout, not knowing he had injured it. He underwent surgery on March 9, performed by Dr. Norman Waldrop. As a result, Banks is expected to be sidelined until June, and NFL teams have already been informed.
Sources: DT Caleb Banks suffered a broken foot at the Combine that will sideline him until June.
The injury happened the night before his on-field testing. He performed a partial workout, not knowing the extent of the injury. The fracture of the fourth metatarsal was surgically…
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 12, 2026
Could this affect his draft stock?
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Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) causes a fumble as he strips the ball from LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The Gators defeated the Tigers 27-16. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
Caleb Bank’s recent foot injury could significantly impact his draft stock, potentially causing him to fall not only out of the first round but also outside the top 50 picks in April. Some teams may have removed him from their draft boards, especially since he already missed most of 2025 due to a broken foot, along with his 6-foot-6, 327-pound frame raising concerns about his long-term durability.