Eastern Washington University Athletics

Head Coach Aaron Best on Banner: “Xavier has bloodlines – I think his brother Zach is like 7-feet-7, 415 pounds – I exaggerate, but I know he’s huge. What strikes you when you watch Xavier’s video is that he is selfless. He played defensive end and we are going to play him at linebacker here, but he also played at offensive tackle. He’s willing to do what’s best for the team. He was excited about the opportunity to be recruited as a linebacker. His personality is infectious – he has a big smile, he has wild hair and he has a great family that has delivered him to this point. I’m excited to see what he does – if I was a player again I would want a locker next to him because he’s going to make me a better person on top of being a better player. He’s been in our camps and comes from a program that knows how to win. We’re extremely excited to see Xavier, and see him get bigger, faster and stronger.”

HS: Graduated from Lakes HS in 2017. Selected to the Tacoma News Tribune All-Area second team as a defensive lineman. Capped his high school career by being selected to play in the 52nd Annual East-West All-State game on June 30, 2017, in Moses Lake, Wash. Earned first team All-3A Pierce County League honors as a defensive lineman and honorable mention as an offensive lineman. Spent part of the season as a backup tight end for fellow EWU signee Cole Lindsay, but moved to left offensive tackle. Lakes finished 7-5, beating Edmonds-Woodway (18-12) and Southridge (31-17) in the State 3A Playoffs before falling to Eastside Catholic (57-24) in the quarterfinals. His Lakes teammate Cole Lindsay (’17) also signed with Eastern. Numerous former Eagles also attended Lakes, including 2016 senior J.J. Njoku (’12) and 1991-92 All-Big Sky Conference running back Harold Wright (’89). He attended EWU football camp, enabling the coaching staff to get a closer recruiting look at him.
 
Personal: Considering majoring in criminal justice. Born 11/29/99 in Tacoma, Wash. Parents are Ron and Vanessa Banner. His older brother, Zach Banner, was a 6-foot-9, 345-pound offensive lineman at USC and was drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Xavier had a playoff game in Kennewick, Wash., and was unable to attend his brother’s lone visit to Husky Stadium when USC beat Washington on Nov. 12, 2016. Nickname is “X”.