Deonte Banks certainly hasn’t forgotten.
The Giants’ rookie cornerback, drafted in the first round this year, has long waited for another crack at covering star Jets receiver Garrett Wilson.
The two went head-to-head in college, when Banks and Maryland faced Wilson and Ohio State in 2019.
Banks’ Terrapins were embarrassed, falling 73-14 in one of the program’s worst-ever losses.
Wilson beat Banks for a 14-yard touchdown in the third quarter, increasing the Buckeyes’ lead to 49-0. Wilson finished the game with four catches for 82 yards and the touchdown.
The two are set to face off again Sunday afternoon for the Giants’ Week 8 clash against the Jets.
“When you lose to somebody that bad, you always want to kind of get back,” Banks told The Post after practice Thursday afternoon. “I’m ready for it. It’s gonna be fun. … They really just beat us, they beat us bad. I was real young, they had a real great team.”
The Giants’ usual top cornerback, veteran Adoree’ Jackson, missed last Sunday’s win over the Commanders with a neck injury. He was limited in practice Thursday, and his availability for this week is in question.
Regardless, Banks craves the task of covering Wilson, whom defensive coordinator Wink Martindale called a “werewolf” on Thursday.
“For sure,” Banks said, “100 percent. … I’m embracing it real well. I’m ready to go. I’m ready to compete, and I’m ready to play ball.”
Banks has so far put together a very strong rookie season. He’s allowed just 4.2 yards per target this season — second-best among all cornerbacks in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats.
He’s also allowed minus-5.5 receptions over expected (which measures the amount of actual receptions he’s allowed compared to how many receptions were expected by Next Gen Stats) this season, the lowest of any defender in the league and the third-fewest of any rookie this late into the season since 2018.
But there have also been a few rough spots. Against the Commanders, Banks was targeted 11 times and surrendered seven receptions for 96 yards, according to Pro Football Focus. He did record a key interception, though.
“I think that he’s doing the things that we thought he could do coming out [of college],” Martindale said. “There’s going to be receivers in this league that make plays. You’ve just got to bounce back and play the next play.”
That fearlessness to cover the best receivers is one of Banks’ most impressive traits.
He was mostly on Terry McLaurin against the Commanders, and has spent ample time covering DK Metcalf and Jaylen Waddle.
“It really comes from my confidence, my confidence in my ability,” Banks said. “It’s really a must [to be fearless]. It’s not even a question to have — you’ve got to. If you don’t, you’re gonna have a long day out there.”