Packers bring in kick return specialist for pre-draft visit

PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 26: New Mexico Lobos running back Damon Bankston (1) runs back a kickoff for a touchdown during the Rate Bowl college football game between the New Mexico Lobos and the Minnesota Golden Gophers on December 26, 2025 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that the Green Bay Packers will have New Mexico running back Damon Bankston on a pre-draft visit . Notably, Bankston took two kickoff returns for a touchdown in the 2025 season.

At the moment, the Packers’ top kickoff options for the 2026 season are receiver Savion Williams (who handled the duties in 2025), receiver Skyy Moore (who was signed this offseason) and cornerback Keisean Nixon (who is a two-time All-Pro at the position). Bankston is not ranked on the consensus draft board and is listed as the 36th overall running back in Dane Brugler’s The Beast , meaning that it’s highly likely that Bankston will be an undrafted free agent signing for whatever team ultimately adds him. Per The Beast, he was officially measured in at 5’10” and 196 pounds.

Bankston also ran a 4. 43-second 40-yard dash with a 4. 32-second short shuttle at the New Mexico pro day.

Bankston was not invited to the NFL combine. As a ball carrier, Bankston carried the ball 114 times for 635 yards and five touchdowns for the Lobos. He split carries with DJ McKinney in their lone year together at New Mexico.