OXFORD, MS — Ole Miss linebacker Tyler Banks has been named the recipient of the 2025 Chucky Mullins Courage Award, marking the 35th time the honor has been bestowed in its 36-year history. Head Coach Lane Kiffin made the announcement, celebrating Banks’ embodiment of courage, leadership, perseverance, and determination – the qualities the award annually recognizes in an upperclassman defensive player. The award is given every year to a defensive player who displays leadership, perseverance, courage, and determination.
Banks truly expressed his appreciation for winning the award and understood what it truly means to him.
“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, just honor, really just honor.“
In an era defined by the transfer portal, Banks’ commitment to Ole Miss stands out. What kept him at Ole Miss, Banks knew that was the right home for him. “Just from the day I committed, I knew that this was home. And growing up… that was just a principle that was instilled in me, just whatever I’m doing, give it 100%, regardless of the factors. So I knew when I made that decision, that was going to be my decision forever.“
Banks emphasized the family atmosphere as a key factor in making Ole Miss feel like home and why he chose the school to elevate his college career.
“The family, just the atmosphere,” Banks said. “That’s one of the main reasons I came here, visiting. It felt like home. I’m from a small town. I got the small-town feel. But not only that, just the people. The people keep you here, too. Just a family.“
Reflecting on his growth since 2022, Banks credited a lot of his coaches throughout the years who have aided him in being a better and complete player on the field.
“I’ve come so far from each defensive coordinator I had, each position coach I’ve had,” Banks said. “I mean, 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 just instilling values of being a man. Just everything on and off the field, I’m learning constantly every day.“
Banks has extreme confidence in this Ole Miss defense this season in a very competitive SEC. Kiffin has also stressed the importance of the defense being in sync this season consistently to maximize their success.
“From the front end to the back end, the whole defense is ready to go,” he stated. “I mean, we got hitters on the D-line, hitters at the second level… the boys are ready to go… Everybody’s ready to roll, man.“
The significance of wearing the number 38, in honor of Chucky Mullins, is not lost on Banks.
“It means everything, everything here and everything in the nation. Everybody should know what it means,” he said. “I mean, there was no hesitation when they asked me if I was going to wear it. I was going to wear it every game, so bowl game, whatever, anything, spot the ball. Like I said, man, I’m wearing the jersey.”
Banks has played in 39 games for Ole Miss, primarily on special teams, and recorded a career-high 14 tackles in 2024.
