Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda (7.29.25)
We talked to Grant (Delpit) a little bit the other day. He talked about how he doesn’t feel like he’s done enough for this team. So, what are the conversations that you’re having with Grant (Delpit) and what do you think he needs to do?
“You know, I think that’s the answer you probably get from a man like him. Hard working guy, always looking to do more, always looking to improve, always looking to develop. For me and for him, the conversation has been what can you do to affect others more positively and to make the ones around you better? It doesn’t have to necessarily be physically on the field, through your actions, how you operate and continuing to polish and shine up that part of his game, because there’s a diamond there and it’s all about trying to get that thing to shine as bright as possible. I feel like that’s going to be a big emphasis for him, myself, and the team as a whole.”
Ephraim (Banda), I know takeaways have been kind of elusive at times over the last couple of years for everyone, but the safeties seem to really want to maximize that part of the game. What needs to happen there?
“I mean, when you talk about attack-defense, no seatbelts, no handcuffs, attack and be aggressive. It all works together from the first, second, third level. As a group, we got to take advantage of the opportunities when they come. You’ve got to be careful overdoing it and trying to create something. But when they do come, we need to make those plays. So, for us it’s just focusing in on those opportunities, trying to recreate those on the practice field, so that when they do come up, it’s not the first time. I’m constantly hunting different body positions and situations that they were in that they could have made and I’m trying to duplicate that out there so that when they do come up, we have a chance to make them.”
We saw Chris (Edmonds) was out there yesterday with the ones when Grant (Delpit) was watching. What development have you seen out of Chris (Edmonds) and what role do you think he could come out with?
“That’s a great question. Development’s always going to be at the forefront of Kevin Stefanski’s team. It’s something he tells us from the very beginning, in the very first staff meetings of the season. You’re always developing and you’re always trying to grow players. For him, it’s not just from a coaching perspective, it’s himself. It’s also the development team in this building, in terms of the weight room, the development group that surrounds those guys. I feel like this organization has done an amazing job of surrounding a young man like him, but also for him to take advantage of all the different things in development. When you talk about what you see on the field, I mean you see a 220 pound player who can move, who can run, can play man, play in space and play at the first and second and third level, but also a player in the meeting room that can retain a lot of information and apply it out there. So, I’m excited to see where he’s at, again, a testament to the development of this organization when it comes to the players.”
Because you’re searching for that third guy, can he be the one that makes it as that third safety?
“I mean, for us, we’re looking for someone to come in and help. It’s going to take a group, it’s going to take a lot of guys and it’s going to take him going out there and doing it out here on this field, but in those games Do I believe that he’s a candidate? 1000%.”
When you watch the film from last year and you’re trying to recreate those situations where capturing the turnovers were missed. How much of it do you think is mental or just purely physical when it comes to getting after the football?
“I think it’s – to give you the old coach answer, I think it’s both. There is a mentality that, I think Grant’s (Delpit) doing a great job. Every time we meet as a group or we break down as a huddle, Gran (Delpit) is reminding us of how important that is. So that’s the mental part of reminding the guys that we got to have it, or what the situation is and why or could have had this one. Then there is a physical component to it that we rep. We try to duplicate it. Kevin’s (Stefanski) first thing that he does in every single practice is a takeaway drill or not letting people take away. So, there’s a physical component 100%, but there’s a mental component to it as well.”
To go back to Scott’s (Petrak) question about Chris (Edmonds), in recent years you guys have gotten so much production out of undrafted or formerly undrafted guys. So, to talk about development, what has made you guys so successful with that?
“I think as a coach, you have to pride yourself on the development of players. Personally, I take great pride in taking a player, even if it’s an undrafted free agent and finding a way for them to get on the field. But it’s also a testament to personnel, their identification of players, and giving us a group of guys for us to work through and talk about from a personnel side, coaches side, and doing a really good job with AB (Andrew Berry) and his staff of finding a good group and saying, okay, of this group of Mike’s, I think it’s that guy right there, then taking that guy and growing them. So, it’s definitely been a great mix of personnel, coaching and player development, but at the same time, it’s about picking the right Mike because that Mike will take to the development side the correct way. So, it has definitely been a group effort.”
Grant Delpit told us last week that he’s really looking to take on more of the leadership role as he gets deeper into his career. From your perspective, as you watch him through the offseason program and early part of training camp, what have you seen that’s different?
“Just a sense of urgency in everything he’s doing. From the moment he walks into the building, to the moment he leaves, being present and locked in with the attitude and mentality that he understands that all these things are watching him and around him. We all know Grant Delpit is going to go out there on that grass and do what Grant Delpit does, but it’s the things around the building, the attitude, the mentality, the communication, the vocal leadership. It’s more than just the physical part but feeling and hearing him is the things I’d say that he’s really done a great job starting out the 2025 season.”
With Ronnie (Hickman Jr.), what are the next steps for him?
“I think the next step for him is he knows what to do. He’s a problem solver. He can put fires out and he won’t start them. Now what I want to see him do is go out there and be the playmaker that we all know he can be. Take advantage of the things that he does well in terms of his instincts, his ability to stay ahead, his ability to communicate. Now go out there and go be that guy for us, go out there and calm everything, but then make the crowd go crazy in the situations that he’s able to and take advantage of his ability to make plays.”
I know it’s not your position group, but Carson (Schwesinger), everyone’s talking about his coverage ability. Knowing he moved to linebacker, he played safety in high school. Can you tell that’s a former safety out there, and what do you think about his ability to drop back there?
“Well, you see the big smile on my face. One, the young man’s got a great feel for the game, pass and run. It’s fun to watch him see it and get to pass drops. Coach Tarv’s (Jason Tarver) done a great job with him in the early stages of growing his game and he’s going to get better, but you can feel when he’s in the game. From a safety structure, you can feel when he is in the game. He does such a good job on his drops and understanding and seeing it. So, I can see how he played safety. He’s got a great feel for it. He’s an awesome young player who’s busting his butt, proving his toughness every day.”
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