Ben Banogu establishing himself in Colts defense
The Indianapolis Colts front seven has the chance to be a remarkable unit both due to the returning players as well as some of the new faces joining the unit. One player who will have plenty of eyes on him is second-year defensive end Ben Banogu.
Drafting Banogu as a “jack of all trades” defender in 2019, the TCU product wound up playing almost exclusively with his hand in the dirt during his rookie season. He has the athleticism to play off the ball as a SAM backer but the Colts felt his best path would be at defensive end.
While Banogu is still learning the ins and outs of the league and his own game, veteran defensive end Justin Houston believes the young pass rusher is beginning to establish himself within the Colts defense.
“I’ve seen Ben (Banogu) grow more and more confident in his rushing and learning who he is, and what type of rusher he is,” Houston told reporters Friday. “I think that was the biggest thing – he was unsure of what kind of guy he wanted to be. I think now he is establishing who he wants to be and what kind of rusher he wants to be. When you gain confidence in who you are and what you can do, that helps as a pass rusher.”
Banogu didn’t see a whole lot of playing time during his rookie season even after Kemoko Turay suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 6. He played 271 defensive snaps (26%) and 27 special teams snaps (6%) en route to recording 2.5 sacks, 3.0 tackles for loss and five quarterback hits.
Given his bend, athleticism and burst off the line, Banogu can be typecast as a speed rusher. But Houston also believes the 24-year-old plays with more power than a typical speed rusher.
“I definitely think he is a speed rusher, but I think he has more power than he realizes,” Houston said of Banogu. “He is starting to feel himself out so he is learning when and when not to use power and when to use his speed.”
As Turay works his way back on the PUP list from the ankle injury that claimed his 2019 season, Banogu will have the opportunity to compete for the starting defensive end spot opposite Houston.
Entering his second season, Banogu could be in for a big campaign if he continues to establish himself within the front seven of the Colts defense.
