A new home: Aliquippa's Brandon Banks commits to Yale University
ALIQUIPPA – Brandon Banks strives to be a true student-athlete.
A strong work ethic on the football field has made him a two-time all-state selection at defensive back. Dedication in the classroom has paid off with a 4.2 GPA.
Next year, he’ll get to be challenged in both arenas as he gave his verbal commitment to Yale University at a Friday press conference at Aliquippa High School.
“I am excited about it,” he said. “Just taking my visit there, you couldn’t beat it. The vibe was great – it just felt like a new home for me. I really liked it a lot. I know I am going to have to be on my ‘A’ game from Day 1 and make a name for myself there. After I finish high school, I’ll be ready to go to the next level.”
The incoming Quips senior, who had a bevy of offers to play college football, narrowed his choices to Yale, Liberty, Coastal Carolina and Ohio. He chose the Bulldogs.
“It’s definitely a relief,” he said. “Going through this whole recruiting process can be stressful. You can only go on some many visits.”
Banks is believed to be the first Aliquippa student-athlete to go to an Ivy League school since Mark Lay played basketball at Columbia in the 1980s.
“That’s a life-changing opportunity. It’s huge for him,” Aliquippa coach Mike Warfield said. “That commitment speaks for itself. To be able to get offers from a majority of MAC schools and to have over 15 offers is great. But, to make that decision not only to play good football but go to a great academic institution speaks wonders of him and his family.
“I think his decision is so good for our program, too. We have our kids getting it done in the classroom as well as on the field. This shows that our kids are not just good athletes – they are also good students as well.”
Banks is Aliquippa’s second NCAA Division-I commit among its incoming senior class. He joins Cameron Lindsey (Pitt).
“Now that this part is over, I can focus totally on my senior year of high school and just finish that out strong,” Banks said. “We are just trying to repeat as WPIAL champions and win states. We want that (WPIAL) three-peat and finish it all off with a big ring.”
Banks was a key part of a Quips defense that won another WPIAL Class 4A championship last fall. He had 33 tackles, 16 pass breakups, four interceptions and three tackles for loss. On offense at wide receiver, he had 24 catches for 398 yards. He scored six touchdowns.
“While it’s amazing to score touchdowns, I like the defensive side better,” he said. “It comes easier to me and is more natural.”
At Yale, Banks plans to focus his studies on the business field.
“I put a lot of importance in academics,” he said. “I put the same amount of effort into the classroom as I do on the field. I want to be known as a true student-athlete.”
Banks and his Aliquippa teammates are busy getting prepared for the high school football season, which is fast approaching.
“Everything is going good. We are looking good,” he said. “The young guys are getting their feet wet and learning plays. We’ll be right where we always are down the stretch.”
Banks and the rest of the Quips are enjoying the new look and feel of Carl A. Aschman Stadium – “The Pit” – which features a new artificial playing surface after a multimillion-dollar renovation completed in the spring.
“It’s great,” Banks said. “Every time we go out for practice knowing we have a new stadium, it’s amazing. We are very blessed that we could have it. We’re just trying to put a show on for our fans when the season starts. We’re humbled to have such a nice home stadium.”
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: A new home: Aliquippa's Brandon Banks commits to Yale University
