West’s Banks to WSSU Rams

MOUNT ULLA', North Carolina — West Rowan senior Hezekiah Banks is a mountain of a young man at 6-foot-5, 335 pounds.

The offensive tackle also has run a 5.2 40-
yard dash — serious motoring for a guy his size.

“Hez is a very athletic big guy,” West coach Joe Nixon said. “He was a big part of our offense, and he also was a great character guy.” Banks, who signed last week with Winston-Salem State, spent some youthful years in New York, but his family relocated to Rowan County when he was still in elementary school.

Basically, Banks is an offensive lineman who has the mobility of a defensive lineman. He’s also blessed with extra-long arms. Those attributes explain why he was chosen to play for North Carolina in last December’s Shrine Bowl. Coaches had their pick of 10 offensive linemen from across the state. Banks is one of the guys they wanted.

“The Shrine Bowl was a good experience because there was a lot of talent there on both teams,” Banks said. “I blocked for a back (Freedom’s B.J. Emmons) who is going to Alabama. It was an intense game and we had a week of intense practices before the game.”

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