STARKVILLE — Johnthan Banks never cared about the recruiting attention.
He also doesn’t care about any potential postseason conference honors.
Those are opinions and perceptions.
Instead, the junior defensive back from Maben is focused on making a lasting impression that will push the Mississippi State football team higher.
“I’m not worried about an All-American or All-SEC status,” Banks said. “All that is just talk and I’m here to make plays and make Mississippi State a better football team.”
After making seven interceptions in his first two seasons, Banks now has 12 interceptions, four shy of Walt Harris’ school record.
“I want to break that (school) record bad,” Banks said. “I do pay attention to that record.”
In seven games this season, the 6-foot-2, 180-pounder has five interceptions, which is tied for second in the nation. Banks’ 13 passes defended is tied for best in the country. The numbers are pretty large for a defensive back from a Class 2A school in Mississippi that ESPN analyst Todd Blackledge said on the broadcast of the 2009 game against the University of Florida “isn’t recognized on a modern day GPS car device.”
Minutes before this breaking news from Blackledge, Banks intercepted a pass from Heisman Trophy quarterback Tim Tebow and returned it 102 yards for a touchdown.
“The experience he has is really starting to pay off,” MSU coach Dan Mullen said Wednesday on the Southeastern Conference teleconference. “He understands how to play defensive back. He’s comfortable at that position, and he’s also applying it on how to attack offenses and utilize his knowledge to become the best he can be and take his game to that next level.”
Banks and his teammates might get more chances to improve their career statistics because there isn’t any evidence teams are shying away from attacking both sides of the field in the passing game.
“It’s the SEC, and they’re going to throw wherever they want,” MSU junior cornerback Corey Broomfield said. “Everyone has two great corners. I told (Banks) today I got my cast off (his broken wrist), so he needs to get a little scared.”
MSU lands pair of 2012 class commitments
MSU received verbal commitments from Georgia defensive end Jordan Washington and Forrest County defensive back Adarrius Perkins.
“Jordan committed to Bulldogs and to coach (Dan) Mullen at 10:30 this morning,” Bob Sphire, coach at North Gwinnett, told ESPN.com Thursday. “They have kind of been front-runner since he camped there this summer.”
The 275-pound lineman chose MSU over the University of Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Ohio State. He was expected to visit Ohio State before making a decision, but he stuck with MSU after visiting campus last week, according to 247sports.com.
“(MSU running backs coach) Greg Knox was so excited to see me,” Washington told Bulldawgjunction.com Thursday. “They all made me feel so at home. I also got to talk to coach Mullen and coach (Chris) Wilson. I was upstairs chilling with my folks and coach (Greg) Knox came and got me and took me in the locker room with all the players.”
Perkins, a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, turned down offers from Ole Miss, Southern Miss, Tennessee, and others to commit to MSU.
Perkins, who attended and worked out at MSU’s Big Dawg camp in July, is the state’s 12th-best prospect.
Perkins has an interception and two pass deflections this season. He also has four touchdowns at running back.
Washington and Perkins give MSU 20 commitments for the 2012 class. All of the prospects have to wait until Feb. 2 to sign a National Letter of Intent to make their pledge binding.
MSU to wear new uniforms for Egg Bowl
MSU will wear a special uniform for its Nov. 26 season finale against Ole Miss.
The “rivalry” design will feature maroon jersey and pants, gold numbers, and “Hail State” on the name plate. The gold accents on the uniform represent the importance of the yearly Egg Bowl game, officially known as The Battle for the Golden Egg.
“Adidas approached us with an opportunity to do something special and unique for The Battle for the Golden Egg,” MSU Director of Athletics Scott Stricklin said. “The Mississippi State-Ole Miss football game is our state’s biggest athletic event each year, and these uniforms help highlight how significant the Egg Bowl is to Mississippi State.”
The maroon jerseys feature an enlarged Mississippi State wordmark over gold numerals on the front, with gold numerals and nameplates featuring the MSU slogan “Hail State.” To complete the look with solid maroon pants, the Bulldogs will don specially designed gold cleats.
“We showed the design idea to our leadership committee and the response was unanimously positive,” Mullen said. “adidas has been a great partner, and we’re excited to do something new and fun for our student-athletes and fans.”
Along with a new design, the uniforms will also feature the latest in adidas’ material technology, including seamless jerseys and pants. The ultra-light TECHFIT seamless jerseys are designed to maximize performance, while CLIMALITE moisture management fabric sweeps sweat away.
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