Wake Forest transfer WR Jahmal Banks talks more about his decision to pick Nebraska
Wake Forest wide receiver Jahmal Banks had plenty of transfer options. In fact, besides his visit to Nebraska last week, he took official visits to Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Minnesota, Michigan and Purdue in December and January.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Banks didn’t know much about Nebraska before his trip, but after spending time in Lincoln, his decision was pretty easy.
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“First and foremost, the people,” Banks said on why he picked Nebraska. “Along with the staff, the nutrition and sports medicine, the players, the medical and strength staffs – the guys I’m going to war with between those lines.
“I spent a lot of time with Malachi Coleman, Jeremiah Charles, Jaylen Lloyd and Dylan Raiola. Even though they were young, they were really like-minded. They want to work, and they want to learn. I want to learn as well. They are looking for a veteran to feed off of and elevate with. Especially for the offense, to compete and help the defense go win championships and to go win games. They have a plan and a blueprint to showcase my abilities on the inside and outside. The technology is great. They really care about nutrition and helping me develop more of my body composition to be the best that I can be. The fans are phenomenal. It’s the kind of place you can’t explain until you go.”
The Washington D.C. native also hit it off with wide receivers coach Garret McGuire.
Banks said that McGuire was his primary recruiter, and his coaching style and mentality played a significant factor in his decision.
“He told me the people that he really loves are his parents, his grandparents, and then the players he coaches,” Banks said of McGuire. “He really prioritizes his time. He’s dedicated to this game, and he’s dedicated to building relationships and being the best you can be. He showed me how he was going to develop me and continue this marathon to help me get to the next level. That really stuck out to me, along with that he’s already coached in the NFL as well.”
The chance to play with Raiola was a factor for Banks
Very rarely are you going to see an incoming freshman have an impact on a senior-to-be transfer target. Raiola is not your typical freshman.
His presence and approach to the game was a big draw for Banks.
“First, I would say is his mentality,” Banks said when asked what stood out about Raiola. “He’s grown up around legends. He knows what it takes. He’s seen it, and he pertains that himself in his development and work ethic. He’s ready to play this game for a long time.”
And if Raiola is NU’s starting quarterback as a true freshman, Banks thinks he has the tools to get the job done immediately.
“He wants it. He’s ready to win games,” Banks said of Raiola. “With that comes growing pains, no doubt. But with his mentality, his work ethic and his knowledge for the game, I believe he can overcome that, and he knows it. That definitely stands out, and his size as well.”
Banks will join Texas’s Isaiah Neyor as one of two wide receiver transfer portal additions for the Big Red. The two spent time together in Lincoln last week, and Banks said he’s excited to begin his Husker journey with Neyor.
“It helps a lot having another guy come in with me,” Banks said. “He and I both complement each other on the field, off the field learning the playbook and being in college for a few years already. We will have similar schedules and just grind with the same type of mindset.”
NU has big plans on how they want to feature Banks in the Husker offense.
Over the last three seasons, he has had 107 catches for 1,404 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’s surpassed the 600-yard receiving mark each of the last two seasons.
“They want to showcase me on the outside and in the slot, being able have one-on-ones, catch some bubble (screens), have some sweeps to stretch the field – NFL concepts,” Banks said.
Banks has already graduated from Wake Forest and will enter a graduate degree program at Nebraska. He has one year of reliability remaining and arrives on campus this weekend. He becomes the fifth transfer portal addition to the 2024 Husker roster.
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