Banks played receiver and defensive back at Cottonwood. As a senior, he had 24 total tackles, two interceptions and four passes defensed. During his junior season, he had seven tackles and eight pass breakups as a corner and was honored as the Outstanding Defensive back.

Coach Petrino said you literally can see the potential in Banks: “You look at him and you see the body of a guy that plays the secondary in the NFL. He has long arms and he can run. He will hit you and has great cover skills. Desmond is a superb kid and a really good student.”