Since taking June visits to Vanderbilt, Oregon and Wisconsin, Harvey (Ill.) Thornton Township safety Jalen Banks has turned his attention away from recruiting.
That’s with the exception of the regular correspondence from Commodores head coach James Franklin, who has the 6-foot, 190-pound Banks feeling like Vanderbilt’s biggest remaining priority in the class-of-2013.
“He tells me I’m coming there,” Banks stated. “That’s what he always tells me. He brings up my academics a lot and everything. I have a high SAT school, he preaches that to me. He tells me he’s not letting me go nowhere else.”
After visiting Nashville for camp on June 16, Banks definitely sees a strong fit.
“It’s a beautiful place,” he said. “It’s really nice.”
Besides Vanderbilt, Banks says he’s still considering Wisconsin, Oregon, Illinois, Northwestern and Wake Forest. He does not have any future visits scheduled, and added that he plans to take a few officials before making his college decision.
“I’m still weighing my options,” Banks said. “All of them are great schools.”
Outside of Frankin, Banks says his next best head coach relationship is with Wisconsin’s Bret Bielema.
“He definitely wants me,” Banks recapped. “He tells me he’d like me to be a Badger.”
Ranked as the nation’s No. 34 safety prospect, Banks finished his junior season with 45 tackles and four interceptions.
- Steve Wiltfong
- National Recruiting Writer - 247Sports