Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks failed to return against Ole Miss. The redshirt senior went through warmups and was slated as a game-time decision but didn't appear in Florida's first drive.
The Gators' top interior defensive lineman suffered a foot injury against the Louisiana State Tigers on Sept. 13 after sitting out in the UF’s first two games of the season. He logged just 34 snaps, and reportedly underwent foot surgery at Andrew Sports Medicine in Birmingham, Alabama, the following week, but a timeline for his return was never provided.
However, on Florida's availability report released Wednesday, Banks was listed as doubtful, giving him a 25% chance to play Saturday, according to SEC policy.
The redshirt senior made a splash in his first year at Florida, finishing 2023 with 19 total tackles and a sack. He carried his dominance into 2024, disrupting opponents with seven tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
With Banks missing in action, Florida has been forced to rely on patchwork combinations in the trenches. Players like redshirt sophomore Brendan Bett, sophomore Michai Boireau, freshman Jeremiah McCleod, redshirt junior Jamari Lyons and freshman Kamran James have stepped up to fill the gap.
Last season, Banks exploded for 2.5 of his 4.5 sacks in UF’s upset victory over Ole Miss on Nov. 23, 2024. He entered 2025 as a projected first round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
With the standout performance Banks recorded against the Rebels last season, his much-anticipated return will bolster UF’s defensive line alongside redshirt seniors Tyreak Sapp and George Gumbs Jr. in Florida’s visit to Oxford.
Contact Curan Ahern at cahern@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @CuranAhern.
Curan is a junior sports journalism student in his fourth semester at The Alligator. He is currently the sports desk's football and enterprise beat writer, and previously served as a reporter for men's tennis, sports enterprise and football. He is currently pursuing a public relations minor and is an avid Duval sports fan. (#DTWD)
