Vikings confirm interest in LB Brian Banks

The Vikings confirmed their interest in 26-year-old linebacker Brian Banks, who was exonerated of allegations of rape and kidnapping after his accuser recanted her story recently, but only after Banks had served five years in prison.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier acknowledged the team's interest in linebacker Brian Banks.

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“I know in talking to (general manager Rick Spielman) and the scouting staff, that’s something that we’ve talked about and there’s a good chance he may be coming in," Frazier said after Tuesday's practice.

Banks is scheduled to visit the Vikings at the end of this week, according to the L.A. Times.

Banks, 26, is the former Long Beach Polytechnic High School star who was recently exonerated of rape and kidnapping charges stemming from the claims of a girl in his high school in 2002. The woman recently admitted she made the story up, but only after Banks had served five years in prison and another five years on probation with a tracking device.

He had accepted a scholarship to play football at USC in his junior year of high school. The charges were leveled against him before his senior year and, facing the prospect of a 40-year prison sentence, was advised by his lawyer to accept a plea bargain. In pleading no contest to the charges, he was sentenced to six years in prison, serving five of those.

He was exonerated last month.

Banks is expected to attend the Seattle Seahawks minicamp on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the Seattle Times, and could visit the Vikings on Friday if he isn't signed by the Seahawks. He was expected to try out for the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday.

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