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Scouting the Portal: Javon Banks, Javontae Jean-Baptiste, and More

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Elena Schwegman | Last updated 3/29/23

Jevon Banks - DL

2022 Team: Mississippi State

2023 Team: Kansas State

Solid size at 6’2, 300 lbs. Plays from low power base. Solid first step explosion at the snap. Plays aggressively and with good effort/strain. Moves well laterally to slide between the offensive line. Utilizes power rush with strong hand attacks and leg drive. Good at using hands to disengage blockers.

Banks is committed to Kansas State for next season with three years of eligibility left. He is a powerful player who had his best year yet for Mississippi State as a reserve player with 17 tackles. Has a lot of upside, can be coached up in his pass rush moves to more consistently get into backfield. His motor, balance, and strength provide a solid base for K-State to work with. Banks will likely start as a reserve for the team but has the potential to break into the starting line-up with time.

Rocky Shelton - LB

2022 Team: Duke

2023 Team: Miami

Shorter but strong and filled-out frame at 5’10”, 221 lbs. Strong lower half, good definition and muscle in legs that he drives to ball with. Reads the play well and reacts to be in a good position to make a play. Solid short-area quickness but better long-speed. Blitzes well, able to drive through the line to disrupt the backfield. Can cover range efficiently, sideline to sideline.

Shelton has been with Duke for five years but has remained in a very limited role, mostly playing on special teams. He will likely stay in a similar role with Miami. If he works on his reaction time and short area quickness, could be a greater threat and role player with the Hurricanes.

Joe Moore - Edge

2022 Team: Arizona State

2023 Team: Missouri

Good size at 6’3, 245 lbs. Low pad level, gets into legs. Balanced and athletic player with good change of direction. Gets off the line quickly. Offers a combination of both power and speed as a rusher. Uses hands well, creates power when aggressively popping them to push back blockers and very good at disengaging blockers to make a play. Effectively compresses the pocket with power rush. Adequate at bending around the edge in a speed rush. Good closing speed, plays with solid overall speed, and contains the edge.

Last year with Arizona State, Moore recorded 24 total tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble. He has some stiffness in his hips still when coming around the edge, but is all-around a good player. His athleticism and powerful hands suit him well as a power rusher. Could see him being a successful speed rusher as well if he can work on his bend and straight-line speed a bit with Missouri. Can see him being an impactful player on the edge for Missouri next season.

Javontae Jean-Baptiste - Edge

2022 Team: Ohio State

2023 Team: Notre Dame

Elite size at 6’5, 248 lbs. Narrow frame but has very good length. Solid play speed, used as mostly a speed rusher as he lacks overpowering strength. Solid first step quickness. Able to use his long strides to close quickly and cover ground. Has a good motor to strain to the ball. Not overly physical but able to use his hands effectively to disengage blockers. Athletic player who can get around the edge with adequate bend.

Jean-Baptiste will have one year of eligibility remaining which he will be finishing at Notre Dame next season. He has had a solid career with Ohio State, recording 19 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and one pass break up last season. If he focuses on adding some more leg strength and drive during the off season, he can find even more success through being able to play with a lower pad level and more knockback ability. His size alone makes him a threatening edge rusher, and his length, speed, and athleticism will fuel success for him at Notre Dame.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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