It sounds like the final line of the E.J. Banks story has been written at Notre Dame. Banks, the sophomore cornerback from the Pittsburgh area, is no longer enrolled in the university and will likely transfer to another school to continue his football career.
In the preseason, Banks’ future with the Irish originally fell into question when rumors swirled about his academic standing at the university.
“E.J.'s currently not a member of the football team, but privacy laws prevent me from commenting further,” Notre Dame’s Brian Hardin said in August.
Since then, head coach Brian Kelly announced that Banks would be welcomed back to the team, but in a walk-on capacity, and his situation would be revisited. Any hope that Banks would rejoin the team seems to be lost now.
According to the South Bend Tribune‘s Eric Hansen, Banks left school, not finishing the semester and is back home in Pittsburgh mulling his options.
Banks entered spring practice last year as a backup to cornerback Darrin Walls, the fourth member of the two-deep depth chart along with reserve cornerback Robert Blanton and Gary Gray. Banks was in a battle with true freshman Lo Wood for playing time before the news in August broke.
Banks departure adds to the uncertainty they’ve had at cornerback this season. The Irish lost early enrollee Spencer Boyd as well as Banks before the season, which caused the Irish to shift Barry Gallup to cornerback.
The Irish continue to target defensive backs in recruiting, earning the pledge of Texas cornerback Bennett Okotcha yesterday.