The 2027 3-star quarterback spoke to Frenetic Pace Sports about being recruited by Toledo football
The Toledo Rockets are continuing to target Detroit Catholic Central quarterback and 2027 3-star recruit Duke Banta, who detailed his recruitment and why Toledo is one of his top schools in an exclusive interview with Frenetic Pace Sports.
“Toledo is very high on my list,” Banta said. “They are building something very special. Toledo head coach Mike Jacobs and offensive coordinator Cris Reisert, along with the rest of the staff, are all amazing people that I would love to play for.”
Banta has visited Toledo several times and continues to develop a strong relationship with the Rockets’ coaching staff. The 2027 3-star quarterback has been impressed with the program and considers Toledo one of his potential destinations.
“The thing I’m most impressed with is the coaching staff, and how much they pour into and care about their players,” Banta told me. “Their facilities are amazing as well. Coach Jacobs and coach Reisert have really just made me feel at home.”
Banta called Toledo home on Friday as well, taking a road trip to the Glass City for a matchup against St. John’s Jesuit. The Michigan native didn’t have any trouble with the environment as he looked calm, cool and collected from start to finish.
In a dominant 36-3 win over St. John’s Jesuit, Banta totaled 194 yards and two passing touchdowns, while completing 11-of-16 passing attempts in yet another ultra-efficient performance. With the win, Banta is now a perfect 19-0 as a starter.
Banta certainly appears to be on his way to another historic season as he hopes to lead the defending state champions Detroit Catholic Central to a second straight undefeated season and state title, before starting his college career in 2027.
“My goals are just to lead this team and be the best for them every single day,” Banta told me. “With this being my final year of high school, I want to have another undefeated season and be the state, league, district and regional champions.”
There’s no doubt that Banta would be a great addition for the Rockets because he would bring an elite combination of accuracy and high-efficiency pocket passing, prototypical size and strength, and proven championship pedigree to Toledo.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound quarterback has the ideal build and frame for a college quarterback, and his ability to hang tough in the pocket and deliver precise throws downfield is part of what makes him a top target for Toledo’s coaching staff.
“My style of play is more pocket-passer type, but I have enough speed to get away from blitzes and rushes,” Banta said. “I love watching Josh Allen. He’s big and physical just like me, a great leader, and someone I try to model my game after.”
During a breakout junior campaign, Banta engineered a 14-0 season and a state title, while tossing 30 touchdowns.
Throughout his career, Banta has displayed tools and traits that would fit seamlessly into the Rockets' offensive system.
Even though Banta told me that he “doesn’t have a set timeline” for when he will be committing, Toledo is considered the favorite to land a commitment from him according to On3, but Central Michigan and Kent State are in the mix as well.
Banta has all the characteristics of a special college quarterback, quality decision-making, leadership and precision, so a commitment from him would be a big-time win on the recruiting trail for Toledo. Now, we just await his final decision.
