Following two highly-productive seasons with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, wide receiver Jahmal Banks has entered the transfer portal. A massive challenge to defend for any cornerback, Banks’ entrance to the portal gives WR-needy programs a big target to go after this offseason.
Where do Banks’ services make the most sense and which teams could target him?
Jahmal Banks Enters the Transfer Portal
Following a breakout season in 2022, Banks may not have broken out further in 2023, but when you look at his quarterback situation, he made the most out of the hand that was dealt.
Banks was subject to a near-revolving door come the end of the season at Wake Forest, yet persevered to haul in 59 catches for 653 yards. Despite just one touchdown against ACC competition, with even an above-average quarterback throwing him the ball, Banks has shown he can be a dependable outside threat and a potential WR1.
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
He started the 2023 season off with a touchdown in each of his first three games and if you look back at his success with Sam Hartman during the 2022 season, the ceiling is significantly higher for Banks with another team.
So, which schools could look to land Banks’ services?
Jahmal Banks Landing Spots
The following landing spots look to utilize Banks’ abilities best and have some familiar touches.
James Madison Dukes
From Arlington, Virginia, JMU isn’t quite home, but it’s certainly closer than Wake Forest would ever be. Given the fact that new head coach Bob Chesney has his work cut out for him with the departures from this past season’s roster, the Dukes could be in the market for a handful of players this offseason.
JMU has shown that they can immediately work with new players and Harrisonburg is apt to get the entire city behind even one-year players. At 6’4″ and 205 pounds, Banks would give a terrific downfield threat for the new-look offense in the ‘Burg.
Indiana Hoosiers
We’ll stick with friendly confines here and look to former JMU coach Curt Cignetti as another who could look to nab Banks’ services. Cignetti has his work cut out for himself as well after taking over an Indiana roster that has lost at least 25 players this offseason.
Cignetti will look to bring in an entirely new cast, and while most of those may come from his former team, there is a wealth of resources for the new Hoosiers’ staff to use to go after someone like Banks. Similar to how offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan used Elijah Sarratt in 2023, Banks offers up a similar skill set and could factor as one of this offense’s top targets.
Virginia Cavaliers
We’ll stay in the DMV and head just a bit north from Winston-Salem to Charlottesville. Virginia certainly has a familiarity with Banks, though he only played in one game against the Cavs and did not record a catch in their 2021 meeting.
Virginia is looking to replace a bevy of talent, specifically Malik Washington, who is off to the NFL. Banks’ ability on the outside would give rising sophomore quarterback Anthony Colandrea a big-play threat and a massive catch radius on the outside he needs.
San Diego State Aztecs
With Sean Lewis assuming control, the San Diego Aztecs may not be as far-fetched of a landing spot for Banks as you may think. Lewis and Co. loved Banks coming out of high school back when they were at Kent State and their paths may cross once again.
Banks comes from the high-octane, incredibly fast Wake Forest offense that Lewis runs and will be implementing at SDSU. He’d offer a veteran receiver who understands the system he’s putting in place and would have a field day against some of the Mountain West’s secondaries.