Eric Banks Bio
Eric Banks (born January 30, 1998) is an American professional football defensive end who has spent his career moving between practice squads, active rosters, and special teams units across the National Football League. After playing college football for the UTSA Roadrunners, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and has since appeared for multiple organizations. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall, Banks has built his professional path through perseverance and roster versatility rather than high draft status.
Early Life and Background
Eric Banks was born on January 30, 1998, in Memphis, Tennessee. He grew up in a city with a deep football tradition and attended East High School in Memphis, where he developed into a defensive prospect. Banks progressed through local youth and high school programs, and his combination of size and quickness drew early attention from college recruiters.
Standing 6 feet 5 inches and weighing approximately 274 pounds in his pro career, Banks used his physical tools to earn a scholarship opportunity at the collegiate level. He chose to continue his football journey away from Memphis, opting to play in a Conference USA program where he could develop his pass-rushing skills. His background in a football-rich region helped prepare him for the demands of the next level.
Path to American Football
Banks joined the UTSA Roadrunners, where he spent four seasons competing in Conference USA as a defensive lineman. Over the course of his collegiate career, he appeared in 48 games and built a steady résumé, finishing with 81 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks, along with one fumble recovery and five forced fumbles. These totals reflected a player who contributed as a run defender and an edge rusher, even if he was not a high-volume sack artist.
His reliability and motor at UTSA were enough to attract NFL interest despite his projection as a late-round or undrafted talent. Banks tested well at his pro day workouts, and his frame intrigued teams looking for developmental defensive ends. His path to professional football was solidified when the 2020 NFL Draft concluded without his name being called, setting up his opportunity as a free agent.
Eric Banks Career
Early Career (2020)
Banks signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent on April 25, 2020, beginning his professional career. He impressed during a unique training camp held under COVID-19 protocols and made the Rams’ initial 53-man roster out of camp, a notable achievement for an undrafted rookie. His stay on the active roster ended on October 10, 2020, when he was waived, but the Rams quickly resigned him to the practice squad on October 13.
That pattern of movement between the active roster and the practice squad defined his rookie season. Banks signed a reserve/futures contract with the Rams on January 18, 2021, securing his place in the organization for the offseason. However, he was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2021, opening the door for his next opportunity.
Los Angeles Chargers (2021)
Banks was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Chargers on September 1, 2021, giving him a brief second chance to remain on an active roster. He spent less than a month with the Chargers before being released on September 30, 2021. The short stint highlighted the volatile nature of the bottom of NFL rosters, where journeyman defenders often rotate between teams in quick succession.
Detroit Lions (2021-2022)
On October 1, 2021, Banks was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions, marking his third team of the season. He was waived on October 28 and re-signed to the practice squad the same day, again showing his value as a practice-squad contributor. Banks signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions on January 10, 2022, locking in his future with the franchise.
His time in Detroit ended when he was waived/injured on August 30, 2022, and placed on injured reserve. He was released on September 5, 2022, closing a chapter that had included both active-roster and practice-squad experience with the Lions.
Arizona Cardinals (2022-2023)
Banks found his next opportunity on November 2, 2022, when he was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. His consistent play was rewarded on January 7, 2023, when he was promoted to the active roster, giving him another chance to contribute on game day. He was released on August 29, 2023, as part of the Cardinals’ roster trimming, and re-signed to the practice squad the same day.
His second stint on the Cardinals’ practice squad was short, and he was released on November 10, 2023. Across his time in Arizona, Banks continued to build the kind of practice-squad reliability that has become a hallmark of his professional journey.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2024-Present)
On January 30, 2024, Banks signed a reserve/future contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, joining his fifth NFL organization. He was waived/injured on August 19, 2024, but the Buccaneers remained interested in retaining him. On March 28, 2025, Banks re-signed with the Buccaneers on a one-year contract valued at $1 million, signaling continued faith in his abilities.
He was released on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts, yet his deal marked the most lucrative contract of his career. Banks’ tenure in Tampa Bay reflects the trust the Buccaneers have placed in him as a veteran presence in the defensive line room.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Banks’ early career was making the Los Angeles Rams’ 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie in 2020, a rare accomplishment. He has now been a member of five NFL organizations, including practice-squad and active-roster stints with each, demonstrating a unique kind of career longevity. His one-year, $1 million deal with the Buccaneers in 2025 also stands as a career milestone, representing his highest reported contract value to date.
Eric Banks Career Highlights
Eric Banks’ professional statistics are limited in publicly verified form, and he has recorded his impact more through roster survival and defensive-line depth than headline statistics. His college totals at UTSA stand as his most documented body of work, with 81 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks across 48 games. At the professional level, he has remained a rotational and practice-squad contributor rather than a full-time starter.
UTSA Roadrunners Highlights
Over four seasons with the UTSA Roadrunners, Banks developed into a reliable edge defender in Conference USA. His 7.5 career sacks and five forced fumbles underscored his ability to disrupt opposing backfields. His 48 games of experience also showed durability, an attribute that has translated into his lengthy professional journey.
Eric Banks Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Eric Banks’ immediate family is limited. He grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, a city known for producing football talent, and attended East High School, where he began his path toward collegiate play.
Personal Life
Detailed information about Banks’ personal life, marital status, or children is not publicly documented in verified sources. He has continued to focus on his professional football career, working to secure a roster spot with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
2025 Season Performance
Banks’ 2025 storyline began with his March 28 re-signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year, $1 million contract, a clear vote of confidence from the organization. He participated in offseason activities and training camp with the defensive line group, competing for a depth role along the edge. The Buccaneers evaluated him throughout the preseason as part of their rotation of veteran defenders.
On August 26, 2025, Banks was released as part of the Buccaneers’ final roster cuts, ending his time on the active roster for the season. He remained a candidate to return on the practice squad or to be claimed off waivers by another team. His outlook beyond the cut will depend on his health and the needs of teams looking for experienced defensive-end depth.
Looking forward, Banks’ veteran experience and willingness to contribute on special teams continue to make him a valuable depth piece across the league. If he re-signs with Tampa Bay or joins another organization, his 2025 campaign may evolve into another chapter of his journeyman career arc.