Korey Banks

Wide Receiver / North Carolina A&T

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Korey Banks:  I am 5’11, 188 and my forty was a 4.44 last year.     

Alex Khvatov:  How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Korey Banks:  I am working out every day.  I go to a gym.  I lift, get band workouts, sprint workouts, catching the ball and running routes.   

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Korey Banks:  Baseball and I ran track.  I ran 100m and 200m in the state events.  We won the 4x100m relay two years in a row.  The whole team won a state title my junior year.  I ran a 10.7 in the 100m and 21.6 in the 200m.  I won third place in the 100m.   

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Korey Banks:  Receiver, corner, and returner.    

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Korey Banks:  Coming out of high school, I was planning to go to North Carolina, but I flipped to South Carolina on signing day.  I wanted to play in the SEC.  I wanted to be a receiver.  Besides Tennessee and South Carolina, other schools were looking at me as a corner.  Alabama wanted me to play corner. 

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at South Carolina? 

Korey Banks:  I wanted to play receiver in the SEC. 

Alex Khvatov:  Tell me about your career with the Gamecocks. 

Korey Banks:  My first year, I was in a rotation.  I played in six games at receiver.  I wanted an opportunity to start.  Then I was ruled ineligible.  During my sophomore year, I switched to DB.  I actually wasn’t going to class and I was short some credits.  I practiced with the team.  I got my grades up.  I learned from it.  I got my eligibility back.  I was just playing special teams and corner when I got back in 2018.  I spent three years at South Carolina before I decided to transfer at the end of the year. 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you transfer to North Carolina A&T? 

Korey Banks:  I wanted to play for a winning program.  It was the best fit for me as far as their playing style.  They also showed me the most love.  Coach Howard reached out to me.  I was actually planning to go to Jacksonville State, but they took a DB out of high school. 

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your overall career with the Aggies.        

Korey Banks:  They watched my high school film.  I wanted to play receiver, and they agreed.  We won the Celebration bowl.  But I didn’t accomplish my goals.  We blew a lot of teams out and we didn’t have to throw the ball a lot.    

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from North Carolina A&T this upcoming season? 

Korey Banks:  Expect us to win it all again and go undefeated.  As far as my individual goals, I want to have 10 receiving TD’s and 1,000 yards.  I am also a kick and punt returner.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Korey Banks:  I bring competitiveness.  I bring that edge.  I have speed and I get deep.  I am an all-around guy.  I have great ball skills.  I can locate the ball, run good routes, create separation, and make catches in traffic.  I am a big-play guy. 

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Korey Banks:  I need to get better in a lot of areas.  I am working on my balance on the jump balls and strength.  I need to work on my all-around game.      

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Korey Banks:  During the Celebration bowl, I scored a 72-yard TD.  I ran a wheel route, the QB hit me and I scored.  It was an icing on the cake. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team? 

Korey Banks:  The Falcons.  I was born in Florida, but I lived in Atlanta.     

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Korey Banks:  I love watching a lot of guys.  Antonio Brown, Tyreek Hill, Deebo Samuel and Mecole Hardman.    

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

Korey Banks:  RB Jah-Maine Martin, QB Jalen Fowler, and WR Zachary Leslie. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Korey Banks:  Duke had a tough secondary.  They played man coverage.  #31 was a good player.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a WR?

Korey Banks:  Being able to catch the ball and being able to separate.   

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Korey Banks:  The thrill you get on game day.     

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Korey Banks:  I watch football all the time.   

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Korey Banks:  I really want to go into coaching or be a firefighter.  I am a Liberal Arts major and I plan to graduate in December.

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Korey Banks:  Competitive, caring, talented, hardworking, and determined.