Speedy B to Toronto: Argos sign longtime Ticats playmaker Brandon Banks

Photo courtesy: Ticats.ca

The Toronto Argonauts have signed longtime Hamilton Tiger-Cats playmaker Brandon Banks.

Speedy B and the Ticats parted ways in January and the Argos inked him to a two-year contract through the 2023 season.

“We want to welcome Brandon and his family to Toronto and couldn’t be more excited for him to join the organization,” head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said.

“Brandon gives us a ball in hand receiver and a vertical threat to our passing game, while providing veteran leadership. What he’s done in this league is phenomenal and we are thrilled he’ll be in Double Blue.”

The 34-year-old Banks was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2019, a four-time CFL all-star, a six-time East all-star, and the league’s Most Outstanding Special Team’s Player in 2015.

The five-foot-seven, 150-pound pass catcher spent the last eight CFL seasons in Hamilton (2013-2021) playing 111 games while climbing the Tabbies franchise record books every season he played before finishing first in kick return yards (3,773), punt return yards (3,049), missed field goal return yards (779) and missed field goal return touchdowns (5), finishing second in total touchdowns (62), combined yards (13,686) and punt return touchdowns (7) and inside the top eight in receptions (442), receiving yards (5,678) and receiving touchdowns (44).

Banks had a stellar 2019 season leading the CFL in every major receiving category on route to 112 receptions, 1,550 yards, 13 receiving touchdowns, and two missed field goal return touchdowns, a Most Outstanding Player Award and an appearance in the Grey Cup.

Last season injuries held Banks to 10 games played but the playmaker still hauled in 44 catches for 474 yards and two touchdowns helping Hamilton get to the Grey Cup for the second season in a row.

Prior to coming north of the border, the North Carolina native and Kansas State University alum played three seasons with Washington’s NFL team (2010-2012) where he saw action in 41 games and tallied over 2,800 kick return yards and a return touchdown, over 900 punt return yards and 11 catches for 35 yards.

Justin Dunk
Justin Dunk is a football insider, sports reporter and anchor.