2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Tah Banda, LB, Tennessee-Martin

• Name: Tah Banda
• Position: LB
• College: Tennessee-Martin
• Height:6’ 2”
• Weight: 233 lbs
• X: @35_tmac

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

To begin high school I was actually only a track and basketball player for the first two years because my parents wouldn’t allow me to play football. However, the head football coach at my school Jomaul Mason had different plans, once he saw me and we got familiarized with each other. He put out an effort for those two years to call and ask my parents to let me play although they showed no signs of changing and I was always interested because I previously played football for one year in 7th grade before then and wanted to see what it would be like to actually try football and to see what a lot of my peers meant when they said I could be really good and go to college for it. I was always a physical player in basketball so it only made sense to try and work hard at something that could really pay off. So I’d say it was a mix of people pushing me as well as my own sheer curiosity to work hard in something that could pay off for me in the long run, although it was a taboo in my family at the time.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My favorite moments were within my first three years of college football playing at the University of Incarnate Word and being able to share times with some of the greatest teams in FCS college football at the time. Winning two back-to-back conference championships and being a starter for one of them is the highlight of my college career because those were the days that formed who I am today and establish the standards that I live by in life and football to further achieve success. Furthermore, it was also about the times that I was able to spend with very important people in my life and all those years that structured me to be who I am as a linebacker and leader specifically learning from and being able to watch guys like Kelechi Anyalebechi, Cam Ward, Taylor Grimes and more formed the type of person and player I am today. Additionally, away from football the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a person though came from Marshall University and building a bond with a lot of great guys like Elias Neal that helped me balance out and carry myself how I saw life regardless of our record that year the memories were unmatched.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My dad inspires me the most, he is a true testament to if you put your mind to anything and take the steps necessary, it can be achieved. He came here from Cameroon, before I could even come here and spent years without seeing his kids and wife so that he can set a foundation for us when we got here. Starting in poverty in America to now living in a household with six figure earners as parents is a big life change and is hard for people to achieve, especially when you’re coming from Cameroon, but that was the plan he set out for when we got here and has been a man of his word since. regardless of the circumstances presented in life, and he is still doing his part to make that dream of his of a successful entrepreneur with a rich family legacy in America possible.

What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?

Going into this next season, I think the biggest thing for myself is being able to finally showcase my full arsenal as a linebacker and my versatility. I feel like most schools that I’ve been to I’ve been confined a bit due to coaches not really understanding the type of player I am as a whole and I think at UT Martin is the best opportunity I have had to truly display that I can do everything at a high-level. Whether it be coverage, pass rush or just simply playing box linebacker. Additionally, I’m excited for the opportunity to win the championship with a team that I have full faith in and cherish some good moments in a new environment with a different brand of people than I’ve ever been able to play with that actually fits my personality a lot more.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day, who and why?

It would have to be Fred Warner honestly, he is the best example of the linebacker that I am trying to be and will give me the best opportunity to see the type of life I want to live in the NFL as a linebacker, as well as teaching me the steps it would take to get to that level. I’m not one for big exciting things so for me it’s just about being able to meet somebody who will be able to teach me on multiple levels of life. If not him then Deion Sanders hands down.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

I love the fact that this is an avenue for myself to express a side that I otherwise wouldn’t really show, as a person generally, I’m pretty nice and articulate and a lot of people may meet somebody like myself in the everyday world and believe I’m harmless from the way, I present myself. Football allows me to be everything I wish at times that I could be, selfish, aggressive, dominant, and a free spirit with no filter. Since joining football, I believe those parts of myself have become more apparent in my personality, however, to truly understand the extremities of which it could get you really just have to see me on a football field. Football is my freedom from all responsibility and allows me to just be a kid.

What should we know about Tah Banda the person?

I’m a person that comes from humble beginnings and is striving for greater for my family and as a service to my purpose through God. I’m a person that has a growth mindset mixed with optimistism and belief in myself and I use that to fuel me in everything that I do. I hold myself to high standards and expectations although I may not always meet those expectations. My standards of being consistent, doing things the right way, as well as just always putting in the work carries me. I’m a person that tries to help those around me excel anyway I can and set an example through my actions so that those around me can follow suit. The work and actions always comes first.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

My favorite defensive scheme is the 4-2-5 for me. It allows me as a linebacker whether it’s at Mike or Will to be able to play sideline to sideline and make impact plays in the back field. For a fast linebacker or even a plug-in play Mike linebackers this game just allows us to make plays inside the box and in space and really stop the run in my opinion. Also, at times it allows different types of blitz packages that really allow me to use my speed to find ways to make impact plays in the backfield. Then, in the coverage game, depending if we are matched or not you can’t go wrong with cover 4 base or cover 6 base. I feel like mixed coverages like six help the defense, especially if we are able to disguise the look correctly. Play with quarterbacks reads and beat them a lot. Whether 4/0 coverages or cover 6(4/2) type coverages a linebacker helps me make plays and coverage and really be more active in the route recognition game. If you go look at Coach Patke the defensive coordinator of Duke scheme that’s a scheme that really resonates with me. Always having one man more than they can block as an emphasis.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I think just taking everything one step at a time allowing prayer to lead as well as a growth mindset or optimistic mindset to really get past challenges. That type of mindset allows me to benefit even in the most challenging times. Attacking challenges head on is really the best way to go about things for me. I don’t like to deter from challenges because at the other end of those challenges is something I can grow from. Also allowing my morals and values to never be wavered by circumstances and to stand on something in times of adversity is also major for me.

What would a team get in a player like you?

Someone who is consistent, someone who comes in every day and tries to put the work first and let everything else fall in-line. What a team would be getting is somebody multidimensional and always open to learning and coaching. Coaches will get somebody who loves football and use it as a vessel to help others every day as much as possible and help everybody push themselves to a new height. Lastly, coaches are getting a leader, somebody who is ready for an opportunity to show that I can excel at the next level and am willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win.

What stands out about your film the most?

Right now, I’d say it would be my speed and physicality at the point of attack as well as my composure within the box and being able to read things quickly. An element I want to add this year is just displaying my flexibility and being able to band off the edge as well as playing low. Lastly, I’m a huge benefit for any team in the coverage game of things because I understand our concept and what offenses are trying to do.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

Elias Neal or Kelechi Anyalebechi. Also, those are guys who have very similar stories coming out of college both put up the stats to be All American and first team all conference type of guys but when it came to the NFL and taking the next step, they were a bit passed on whether it was because of size or whatever it may be. I believe those are two of the best linebackers I’ve seen make plays the way they made plays and still not get the recognition that they deserve to their own respect although they both got a chance at the next level, for the careers they had and their ability I just believe are are both extremely underrated.