Eric Banks Bio
Eric Banks (born January 30, 1998) is an American professional football defensive end. He played college football for the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Roadrunners and has spent his professional career moving between practice squads and active rosters across the National Football League (NFL). Since going undrafted in 2020, he has appeared with the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, and most recently the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Standing 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) tall and listed at 274 lb (124 kg), Banks has carved out a journeyman path built on persistence and special-teams reliability. His career reflects the modern reality of NFL roster turnover, with frequent movement between practice squads, active rosters, and injured reserve designations.
Early Life and Background
Eric Banks was born on January 30, 1998, in Memphis, Tennessee. He grew up in the same city that would later produce several notable professional football players and developed an early interest in the sport through community and school programs.
He attended East High School in Memphis, where he played defensive line and began attracting attention from college recruiters. His combination of length, quickness off the edge, and frame made him a target for programs looking to develop pass rushers at the FBS level.
Path to American Football
After completing his high school career at East, Banks committed to the University of Texas at San Antonio, joining the UTSA Roadrunners program. At the time, UTSA was still establishing itself within Conference USA and offered Banks an opportunity to grow into a larger role than he might have received at a more established program.
He spent four seasons with the Roadrunners, working his way into the defensive line rotation and developing the traits that would eventually earn him an NFL opportunity. Banks entered the 2020 NFL draft process as a developmental prospect on the edge.
Eric Banks Career
Early Career (2020)
Banks signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent on April 25, 2020, following the conclusion of that year’s NFL draft. He impressed during the shortened preseason and made the Rams’ initial 53-man roster out of training camp, an early sign that the organization viewed him as a depth piece worth developing.
His time on the active roster was brief. Banks was waived on October 10, 2020, and re-signed to the Rams’ practice squad three days later on October 13. He finished his rookie season there before signing a reserve/futures contract on January 18, 2021, in hopes of competing for a roster spot the following fall.
Los Angeles Chargers (2021)
Banks was waived by the Rams during final roster cuts on August 31, 2021. The next day, September 1, 2021, he was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Chargers, marking his second NFL team in as many seasons.
His stint with the Chargers was the shortest of his career. Banks was released on September 30, 2021, just one month after arriving in Los Angeles, placing him back onto the waiver wire.
Detroit Lions (2021–2022)
On October 1, 2021, Banks was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions, giving him another opportunity to compete for a roster spot. He appeared briefly on the active roster before being waived on October 28 and re-signed to the practice squad the same day.
Banks signed a reserve/futures contract with the Lions on January 10, 2022, only to be waived/injured on August 30 and placed on injured reserve. He was released on September 5, ending his time in Detroit.
Arizona Cardinals (2022–2023)
Banks found his next opportunity on November 2, 2022, when he signed with the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. He remained there through the end of the regular season and was promoted to the active roster on January 7, 2023, for the team’s final stretch.
His second stint with the Cardinals began when he was released on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad the same day. Banks was ultimately released on November 10, 2023, closing out his time in Arizona.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2024–Present)
On January 30, 2024, Banks signed a reserve/future contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, beginning a new chapter in his career. He was waived/injured on August 19, 2024, but remained connected to the organization.
On March 28, 2025, Banks re-signed with the Buccaneers on a one-year contract valued at $1,000,000, reflecting continued faith in his defensive line depth. He was released on August 26 as part of that year’s final roster cuts.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the field, Banks is valued as an edge defender with the length and frame to set the edge against the run while offering rotational pass-rush upside. His experience across multiple schemes has made him a flexible piece for defensive coordinators looking to mix personnel groupings.
Notable Events and Milestones
A signature moment of Banks’ early professional career came when he made the Rams’ 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie in 2020, validating his development at UTSA. His continued movement between practice squads and active rosters across five NFL franchises illustrates his persistence within a highly competitive league.
Eric Banks Career Highlights
Across his professional career, Banks has appeared with five NFL organizations, primarily contributing on special teams and as a rotational defensive end. His career NFL statistics, as of 2024, include 4 total tackles.
Other Wins and Performances
During his four seasons at UTSA, Banks compiled 81 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and five forced fumbles across 48 games played. These collegiate numbers reflect a steady contributor whose production grew over his time in the program.
Eric Banks Family
Personal Life
Public information about Eric Banks’ personal and family life remains limited. He was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and continues to be recognized as an American professional athlete.
2025 Season Performance
Banks entered the 2025 offseason as a returning member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after signing a one-year, $1 million contract on March 28, 2025. His re-signing suggested the Buccaneers viewed him as a familiar depth piece on the defensive line heading into training camp.
He was ultimately released on August 26, 2025, as part of the Buccaneers’ final roster cuts, ending his most recent tenure with the team. The move places Banks back into the free-agent market as the 2025 regular season progresses.