Ticats agree to terms with all-star receiver Brandon Banks

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have agreed to terms with receiver Brandon Banks on a two-year contract extension, per sources.

Banks was a 2018 CFL all-star finishing second in receptions (94) and yards (1,423) among all receivers and tied for first with 11 receiving touchdowns while averaging 15.1 yards per catch.

The 31-year-old speedster has back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in June Jones’ offence after compiling 1,011 yards and eight touchdowns on 67 catches in just 10 starts at receiver during the 2017 schedule. Banks was primarily used as a returner under Kent Austin but moved to receiver when Jones took over as head coach and installed Jeremiah Masoli as the starting quarterback.

Prior to 2017, Banks’ best production as a receiver came in 2014 when he caught 42 balls for 529 yards and five touchdowns. He has 266 career CFL catches for 3,654 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Banks rose to stardom in the CFL as returner and was named a CFL all-star in 2014 and 2015. He has 270 punt returns for 2,814 yards and seven touchdowns, 179 kick-off returns for 3,689 yards and one touchdown and 11 missed field goal returns for 486 yards and three touchdowns.

With Masoli one of the few big-name quarterbacks under contract for the 2019 season, re-signing Banks locks up another major piece of the Ticats offence.

Justin Dunk

Football insider, reporter and analyst.