University of Minnesota Athletics
Senior CB Trumaine Banks
10/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
On a team that boasts just nine seniors, this year’s Golden Gopher squad will rely more than ever on its senior class to provide leadership and guidance. Having started all 38 games as a Gopher, senior cornerback Trumaine Banks has been a valuable asset to the young group both on and off the field.
A self-proclaimed leader by example, the seasoned Banks understands the importance of his game experience and demeanor with younger players. A four-year starter, Banks is the senior member of a secondary that includes junior cornerbacks Jamal Harris and Desi Steib, sophomore strong safety Dominic Jones and junior free safety Dominique Barber.
“With the guys around me being a lot younger, I have to be a leader,” Banks said. “I’ve been through a lot. I know what to expect from a Big Ten game, and things that are going to happen. Even though we’ve got a lot of inexperience, we’ve also got a lot of people that are hungry who possess a lot of fire. I think we can get past being young to work together. Personally, I try to lead by example and go out and get better every day.”
“He’s a guy that you look at in our secondary who obviously has the most experience,” defensive coordinator David Lockwood said. “He’s been a four-year starter, so we expect him to bring that leadership and that experience to the secondary. He’s a tough kid and he gives you everything he’s got when he’s out there.”
Although Banks has made many a big play for the Golden Gophers, the highlight of his career came in his first game wearing Maroon and Gold. The season opener of the 2002 season at Tulsa was a game that Banks will never forget.
“That’s where it all started. That’s the game that sticks out the most because of all the butterflies. I’ll never forget that game,” Banks said.
Banks finished the game with five tackles and was named to the Sporting News Big Ten All-Freshman Team that winter.
Banks has gone on to become a staple of the Minnesota defensive secondary for over three years. He has played in and started all but two games over that period.
Following the 2005 season, Gopher coaches considered moving the versatile Banks to free safety before reverting him back to his familiar position at left corner. Banks gained valuable perspective that he believes enhances his ability to contribute at cornerback.
“I just think the switch to safety was good for me because the more you know what the next guy is doing, the more it helps you at your position. Getting that experience at safety just made me that much better at corner,” Banks said.
Banks is not on the field every Saturday just because of his leadership. Last year, he led the Big Ten Conference with 13 pass-breakups. Through four games in 2006, Banks needs just three more pass breakups to break a school record held by Michael Lehan and Ukee Dozier, who started alongside Banks in 2003 and 2004. True to his team-first attitude, Banks is quick to deflect attention.
“I don’t really think about the records and stuff like that. I just try to go out there and compete each game. Whatever accolades come along with that is fine by me,” Banks said.
Banks was recruited by the ‘U’ from Eastmoor Academy in Columbus, Ohio as a receiver and defensive back. He has fond high school memories playing against current Gopher teammate, junior wideout Ernie Wheelwright. Both players recall a certain touchdown by Banks in a game against Wheelwright’s Walnut Ridge team.
“I was playing pretty well at receiver and they decided to put Ernie out there to cover me. They figured I couldn’t out-jump him, but I got him.” Banks said.
The extraordinary athletic ability that allowed Banks to be recruited at both receiver and defensive back and draw All-District honors contributed to his ability to get past Wheelwright on the play.
“Trumaine is a great athlete and I’ll admit he got me. That rivalry has definitely carried over into practice,” Wheelwright said.
The friendly rivalry has been valuable to Banks as well.
“We grew up down the street from each other, so we’ve known each other since seventh grade. In high school, we were always waiting for that big game to come around. When [Wheelwright] committed here, we just carried that over,” Banks said.
Wheelwright and Banks are among a contingent of 17 Gophers hailing from the Buckeye State that has become a recruiting hotbed for Minnesota.
In 2006, Banks has already made valuable contributions to his team. Against Cal, he tied for the team lead with eight tackles. He has also started each of the team’s four games and has recorded 18 stops.
As for the future, Banks has cast an eye toward the business world. As a business and marketing education major, he has also applied his hard work and dedication to his work in the classroom and is on pace to graduate.
“I’m glad to have that business background. I’d like to own my own business somewhere down the line,” Banks said.
Right now, Banks is handling his business on the field and in the classroom.
story by Doug Vose, athletic communications student assistant
