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In two years at TCU, Ben Banogu got his name out as one of the Big 12’s premier pass-rushers. After transferring from Louisiana-Monroe, he was the Big Ten Newcomer of the Year in 2017, which he followed up with All-Big 12 status in 2018. Banogu came up with 17 sacks and five forced fumbles in his two TCU seasons. He was always around the ball, it seemed, with some of the best hurry and run-stop numbers in the country, but Banogu missed 14 tackles and wasn’t able to capitalize to get home on as many sacks as he could have. Tested out explosively at the combine, which could give him a leg up.

Size

6-3, 250 pounds

Combine notables

40-yard dash: 4.62 seconds (6^th at position)
Bench: 23 reps
Vertical: 40 inches (1^st at position)
Broad jump: 134 inches (1^st at position)
3-cone drill: 7.02 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.27 seconds (4^th at position)

What the analysts say

“Edge player with good athleticism, who could struggle to translate to the next level unless he diversifies his approach as a rusher. His quickness created opportunities with inside moves and twists in college, but NFL tackles will shut and lock that interior door on him until he proves he can threaten them around the corner. Banogu could challenge for a nickel rush position in the future, but he still needs work.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“Banogu stacked together two productive seasons for TCU after transferring from Louisiana-Monroe. In the NFL, Banogu is likely a situational defender given his strength, technique and flexibility limitations. Against the run, Banogu is best suited to slash gaps and not be tasked with edge-setting duties. Maximizing his pass rushing upside will require linear rush angles so he’s best utilized in pressure packages where he stunts/attacks from the second level. Carving out a role in sub packages and winning on special teams is critical for a sustained career.” – Joe Marino, The Draft Network

What PFF says

-T8th in total run stops
-2^nd in total hurries, but 39^th pass-rush productivity

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CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE
ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE

TOP 40 PLAYERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS NEEDS & TARGETS
POSITIONAL TOP 5 RANKINGS & VIDEO BREAKDOWNS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
INMAN: NFC NORTH WORST CASE DRAFT SCENARIOS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL (PODCASTS, VIDEOS, ARTICLES)
INMAN’S MOCK DRAFT COLLECTION

Sam Ekstrom

Sam Ekstrom is an executive producer and host at Locked On Sports Minnesota. He's previously covered the Vikings for 105 The Ticket, Zone Coverage, Purple Insider, and the Associated Press. He grew up in Vermillion, S.D. rooting for the USD Coyotes (not SDSU) and graduated from Dordt (not "dork") University in Sioux Center, Iowa.

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