Tyler Banks: The rare Ole Miss mainstay who’s never looked elsewhere

Tyler Banks has tried to be a leader ever since he stepped foot on campus as an Ole Miss freshman three years ago.

Honestly, in full view, Banks becoming the 35th recipient of the Chucky Mullins Courage Award was the natural next step in his career.

Banks secured the number earlier this week. Ole Miss is midway through fall camp practices. The Rebels open the 2025-26 season against Georgia State on August 30.

“From the first day I got here I had my mind made up I was going to be genuine and true to everybody around me,” Banks said. “I tried to introduce myself to everybody, learn everybody’s names. See you in the hallway, fist bump, get to know you. 

Banks: “All my years I’ve been here I’ve been building relationships with each and every person in this building.”

“I want to know them all. I want them to be family. So, I feel like nothing’s really changed. Just continue to grow and be a good person to everybody.”

The award is sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and honors Mullins, who had his Ole Miss career come to an end during the 1989 Homecoming game against Vanderbilt. Mullins was paralyzed after making a tackle. He returned to Ole Miss for his studies but ultimately passed away on May 6, 1991.

“Really just honored, blessed,” Banks said. “I can’t wait to represent. I know the people before me represented well, and I plan to do the same. I’m just honored. Really, just honored.

“It means everything. Everything here and everything in the nation. Everybody should know what it means. It was no hesitation when they asked me if I was going to wear it. I was going to wear it every game. Bowl games, whatever, anything. Spot the ball. Like I said, I’m wearing the jersey.”

Banks is a three-year letter-winner for Ole Miss. 

He’s also a unicorn in the now-transfer-dominated culture of college football. 

Banks has appeared in all 39 games for the Rebels since arriving in Oxford as a true freshman in 2022. Banks is originally from Blackstone, Virginia. 

He’s mostly served as a key member of the Ole Miss special teams unit, tallying 31 total tackles in his career, including a personal-best 14 last season. Banks also represents the Rebels as a member of the SEC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

“Just from the day I committed I knew this was home,” Banks said. “Growing up, that was just a principle that was instilled in me. Whatever I’m doing, give it 100 percent, regardless of the factors. I knew when I made that decision it was going to be my decision forever.

“The family [and] just the atmosphere, that’s one of the main reasons I came here. Visiting felt like home. I’m from a small town. [Oxford’s] got the small-town feel. But not only that, just the people. The people keep you here, too. So, just the family.”

The Ole Miss defense is replacing all but two starters from last season’s record-breaking group. 

However, the Rebels believe in what they have, which was boosted by a transfer class ranked No. 3 in the nation by On3. Ole Miss signed linebackers Tahj Chambers (Missouri State), Jaden Yates (Marshall) and Andrew Jones (Grambling).

Leading the way is Banks and veteran TJ Dottery. Dottery was the Rebels’ second-leading tackler last season and on the watchlist for the Butkus Award.

“From the front end to the back end, the whole defense is ready to go,” Banks said. “I mean, we’ve got hitters on the defensive line, hitters at the second level — TJ Dottery, Tahj Chambers, Andrew Jones. Nick Cull, from the corners, everybody’s ready to roll, man. The defense is flying around right now.”

Banks could move around for the defense. 

Chambers is running in front of him alongside Dottery, but replacing Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul will be a group effort. Paul was a fifth-round selection of the Los Angeles Rams in the 2025 NFL Draft. He led Ole Miss in tackles last season. 

Banks has even received some reps as a defensive end at times. He’s willing to do whatever to help the team win. Ole Miss has won 10 or more games in three of the last four years.

“I’ve come so far, from each [defensive coordinator] I’ve had to each position coach I’ve had,” Banks said. “I’ve grown and grown over the years, and I continue to grow and learn every day from the people that are coaching and just the men in the building that are instilling values of being a man. Just everything on and off the field, I’m learning constantly each and every day.

“God has gotten me through so many things, along with the family around. But God never will change on me. I know for a fact if I lean on Him, lean into Him, everything will be all right.”