The Indianapolis Colts announced on Monday that the team has signed rookie USC offensive tackle Zach Banner, who was recently a 2017 4th round pick of the team.
It’s now the fourth rookie of the Colts draft class to sign their deal, as only four rookies remain unsigned.
At a listed 6’8″, 349 pounds, Banner is a ‘mountain of a man’ and had been working predominantly at right tackle during this past weekend’s rookie minicamp.
Per Colts.com:
"He (Banner) started 38-of-40 career games along the offensive line at USC at left and right tackle. Banner won USC’s Offensive Lineman of the Year Award in 2015 and was the team’s Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2016."
He also earned All-Pac 12 team honors in back-to-back seasons (2015-16).
Here’s what Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said regarding the big-bodied Banner, who they are working on improving his conditioning this offseason:
"“It’s like an eclipse,” said Pagano. He’s a giant.”“He’s got some work to do physically. He’s a big, big man and we’re going to go to work on reshaping that big body. I mean, just looking out there it’s scary how big this guy is. He can barely fit in the locker room, but he moved around okay.”"
While Banner projects to be a backup offensive tackle–at least initially, his immense size makes him an intriguing developmental project of sorts if he can keep his conditioning in check.
He’s certainly a name to watch going forward for the Colts franchise.