Banks Overcomes Broken Arm

AMES, Iowa -- When you watch an Iowa State football game, you won't have trouble finding Kennard Banks. His No. 7 jersey can be seen flying with singular purpose to the football, whether the pigskin has been punted, kicked, passed or carried by a member of the other team. The junior's love of football is straightforward. But the road taken by this native of Boynton, Fla., to get to Ames, Iowa and the challenges that he overcame in his short time as a Cyclone affirms his real pride to be a member of the ISU football team.

The latest challenge came early in ISU's season opener against South Dakota State. Banks read the play, stopped his corner back pedal and made contact with the Jackrabbit wide receiver. He drove his fore arm against his opponent's hip.

“I ended up breaking (the bone) in half,” Banks said.

For the first time in 13 years of playing football, Banks had suffered an injury that would keep him from playing football. The pain from breaking the bone couldn't come close to matching the pain of not being able to play.

“It was very hard to deal with,” Banks said. “I wasn't used to being on the sidelines. I felt like I was a coach cheering from the sidelines. The doctors told me it was a season-ending injury. But I knew God was going to bless me and I was going to get back. Still, I had some sleepless nights.”

The injury was considered season-ending after six screws were inserted into a titanium plate connecting the severed bones. Incredibly, Banks returned to practice last week and saw action at corner and on special teams Oct. 11 Baylor and made five tackles last week against Nebraska.

Banks started playing football at age six through his uncle, who was his Little League coach. By the time he was 13, Banks had played corner back for seven years. He earned first-team all-county honors and was a first-team all-district choice after making 70 tackles, with eight interceptions at Dwyer High School. He broke up six passes and forced three fumbles.

He signed with Illinois but ended up at Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, Mich., where he was a starter as a true freshman, making 58 tackles in 2005.

After one year, Banks transferred from Kalamazoo to Rock Valley (Ill.) Community College. From there he went to Dodge City (Kan.) Community College. He was a first-team all-Jayhawk Conference honoree, making 60 tackles with three interceptions last season. Banks didn't experience much culture shock and enjoyed playing football at Dodge City.

“I saw a rodeo, that was something I had never seen before,” Banks said.

Banks originally committed to Kansas State after his junior college season. But on signing day, he cast his lot with Iowa State, much to the pleasure of the ISU coaching staff.

“Kennard is a very physical player and really loves the game,” ISU secondary coach Shawn Raney said. “He has written of his love of the game and is a special, very athletic player. His comeback this season underscores those words.”

Players Mentioned

Kennard Banks

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