The Bucs have waived rookie inside linebacker Jeremy Banks on the day that the team’s first-year players reported for training camp. Banks, who was signed as an undrafted free agent, had some off-field issues that affected his time at the University of Tennessee. It is believed that the Bucs’ issues with Banks were attitude-based rather than his play on the field.

Banks is a very athletic linebacker with great speed and has the physical tools and production to get drafted in the middle rounds, but character concerns caused him to go undrafted.

Jeremy Banks Had Character Issues Prior To Joining The Bucs

Jeremy Banks’ sophomore year would be derailed by his dismissal from the Tennessee program, and he had to earn his way back. Banks decided against transferring and stuck around. Head coach Jeremy Pruitt gave him a second chance, and he was reinstated. This would start his emergence on the Volunteers’ defense.

Former Bucs ILB Jeremy Banks – Photo by: USA Today

In 2020, he was a full-time linebacker, and in seven games, he recorded 28 tackles. After a year under his belt settling back in with the team and his new position, 2021 would be his breakout.

Banks would play in all 13 games and had 128 combined tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and a 32-yard interception. He ranked seventh in the nation in tackles and had one of the best seasons at the position in school history. He had an elite year by all measures on-paper, putting him on a path to the NFL.

In 2022 he would take a step back from these numbers, but it was still a solid campaign. In 11 games (eight starts), he recorded 53 combined tackles and 4.5 TFLs. Some of his best games last season came against highly-ranked opponents.

Of note were three games against, at the time, No. 20 Florida, No.3 Alabama, and No.3 Georgia. Early in the season against the Gators, he tallied seven tackles, a quarterback hurry, and a fumble recovery. Facing the Crimson Tide a few weeks later, he recorded six tackles, but his four quarterback hurries were more impressive. Lastly, in November, he recorded seven tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and a pass breakup against the College Football National Champions.

What he lacked in sack production last season, he made up for it by consistently getting to the quarterback and playing with increased play recognition and a quick first step.

Bucs Still Have Several Young Inside Linebackers On The Roster

Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs had hoped that Jeremy Banks would get his act together in Tampa Bay after going undrafted, but that wasn’t the case. Still, the Bucs have several young inside linebackers on the roster behind starters Devin White and Lavonte David, both of whom are in a contract year.

The Bucs drafted SirVocea Dennis in the fifth round and he’s drawn rave reviews for his maturity, football I.Q. and playmaking ability in the offseason. He’ll push third-year pro K.J. Britt for the third spot on the depth chart.

Tampa Bay also has two former practice squad players in Ulysees Gilbert and J.J. Russell on its offseason roster. The Bucs typically keep four inside linebackers on the roster and special teams play typically decides who the reserve linebackers will be.