NFL Draft: Top 25 prospects from the Big 12

After beginning his career at Louisiana-Monroe, Ben Banogu transferred to TCU where he – following a missed season due to his transfer – immediately developed into an important player for the Horned Frogs. Banogu was named to the All-Big 12 First-Team in both 2017 and 2018 – each season he recorded eight and a half sacks. Not only did Banogu rack up plenty of sacks, but he also finished with 18.5 tackles for loss in 2018.

At the end of the 2017 season, Banogu received interest as a possible early selection. ESPN’s Todd McShay went so far as to project the Patriots picking Banogu in the first round of the 2018 draft and describing him as “versatile” and “highly productive.” At the advent of the 2018 season, draft analyst Jonah Tuls saw Banogu as a fringe first round pick. As of now, however, Banogu is receiving little attention and almost certainly won’t be selected in the first or second round unless he breaks out during the combine.

Nevertheless, Banogu’s intangibles have scouts most interested. Big and athletic, Banogu can play both defensive end and outside linebacker, and though he has struggled at times against the run, he has a knack for pressuring the quarterback – always a highly coveted skill in today’s pass-heavy NFL.