Southfield DE Caleb Banks drafted by Minnesota Vikings

TL;DR

Caleb Banks, a defensive end from Southfield A&T High School, was drafted 18th overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL Draft. He previously played at the University of Florida and faced injury challenges leading up to the draft.

Key points

Caleb Banks was drafted 18th overall by the Minnesota Vikings.
He played three seasons at the University of Florida.
Banks had 4.5 sacks in his second season at Florida.
He suffered a foot injury before the 2025 season.
His selection was unexpected due to injury concerns.

Caleb BanksMinnesota VikingsNFL Draft 2026

Defensive end Caleb Banks, a former star at Southfield A&T High School, was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night.

Banks, who played the last three seasons at the University of Florida, was taken 18th overall by the Minnesota Vikings, one pick after the Lions drafted offensive tackle Blake Miller from Clemson.

Banks began his college career at the University of Louisville (2021-22), before transferring to Florida ahead of the 2023 season. He had one sack his first season at Florida and 4.5 sacks his second season. He suffered a foot injury before the 2025 season and tried to play through, but saw action in just three games.

Banks, 23, then broke a bone in his foot during workouts at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in late February, and underwent surgery that was expected to keep him out of action until perhaps early this summer. That made his first-round selection by the Vikings a surprise, perhaps one of the biggest on Day 1 of the draft.

Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks is selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the number 18 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.

Before the injury, during measurables, Banks' wingspan opened eyes at 7 feet, 1.75 inches. It was the longest recorded wingspan at the NFL Combine since 1999, according to the Vikings.

Out of high school, Banks, 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds, drew significant interest from Michigan and Michigan State, among many other schools.

The NFL Draft continues Friday with Rounds 2-3, and finishes Saturday with Rounds 4-7.

Q&A

What position does Caleb Banks play and which team drafted him?

Caleb Banks is a defensive end, and he was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings.

What were Caleb Banks' college stats before being drafted?

In his college career at Florida, Caleb Banks recorded one sack in his first season and 4.5 sacks in his second season.

Why was Caleb Banks' first-round selection considered a surprise?

His selection was surprising due to a foot injury he suffered before the draft, which required surgery and limited his participation in workouts.