Notre Dame football: Aaron Banks ready to take over in Year 2
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football team got great play from guard Aaron Banks during his time in South Bend, and now, he appears ready to take over in Year 2.
During his time with the Notre Dame football program, offensive lineman Aaron Banks established himself as one of the elite offensive guards in college football. In fact, he played so well, that he was selected as the No. 48 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.
As is the case with most rookies, Banks struggled to find his way early on in his NFL journey, and after being expected to start as a rookie, made only nine appearances. A first-team AP All-American in his last season on campus, Banks did show that he has the size and skill set to excel at the NFL level, something he will get a chance to do in Year 2.
Based on the depth chart for the 49ers over at ourlads.com, Banks is penciled in to be the team’s starting left guard in 2022, a big jump from his playing time as a rookie. He will have to stave off rookie 2022 draft pick Spencer Burford in order to lock down the starting job, but after a tough rookie season, I believe he is ready to take on that role.
Notre Dame football all over San Francisco offensive line
If Banks can win the starting job, and be locked in as the starting left guard, he will be playing across from a former teammate at Notre Dame in Mike McGlinchey. The former All-American has been the 49ers starting right tackle for years now, and entering his fifth season in the NFL, McGlinchey is poised to take the next step forward, especially after a tough injury in 2021.
San Francisco is a team that could challenge for an NFC West title in 2022, and to do so, they need Banks to play at the level he did during his final season in South Bend. As a Bay Area native, playing for the 49ers has to be a dream for Banks, and I am sure he is going to take advantage of this opportunity.