Immaculata La-Salle Alum Terrill Hanks Signed To A Futures Contract By The Miami Dolphins
January 23, 2020
The Miami Dolphins recently announced that they have signed Terrill Hanks and seven other players to futures contracts.
Hanks entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of New Mexico State University. Hanks was a four-year starter for the Aggies where he totaled 395 tackles, 11 sacks, 8 interceptions, 22 passes deflected, and 4 fumble recoveries in 46 career games. Hanks started in 43 games and earned All-Sun Belt Honors as a Junior in 2017.
The Immaculata-La Salle alum was a four year varsity letter winner at ILS in football and track. As a senior, Hanks totaled 100 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions, earning him All-Dade First Team. During his Royal Lion career, Hanks tallied 200 tackles, four interceptions, two sacks and one fumble recovery returned for the touchdown. Hanks also played wide receiver as a senior, making three catches for 53 yards.
Hanks was beloved at ILS, and his impact will never be forgotten.
“Terrill was an absolute pleasure to coach. He has a heart of gold. He cared for all of his teammates, andwanted them to succeed,” said former ILS football coach Anthony Vuono.
Vuono recalls his fondest moment with Hanks during a game versus St. Andrews. Vuono claims Hanks was assigned to shadow a ‘big tight end’, and Hanks picked him up and body-slammed him to the ground.
Off the field, Hanks possesses a strong faith in God. During his time at ILS, he grew close to Coach Eddie.
“Terrill was one students that had the grace to listen,” said Coach Eddie. “He did not settled for a superficial answer. He wanted more.”
Hanks endured setbacks, including a torn ACL, but was able to persevere by embracing God’s plan for him in life. As he went to college, Hanks would call coach Eddie before every one of his college games to pray with him. Coach Eddie and Hanks had an excellent relationship, as Hanks went to Eddie to discuss his personal challenges.
Coach Crotty, ILS’s Athletic Director during Hanks’s time here, said: “Character is an inherent trait which is fostered by family and community, which is very evident in Terrill.”
Hanks’ hard work and dedication led him to a practice-squad opportunity with the Dolphins and ultimately his new Futures Contract.
The NFL’s Futures contract is the same as a regular active-roster contract, with the regular rules for minimum veteran salaries. The catch is that the contract won’t count against the salary cap or 53-man limit. Instead, it’ll count against the salary cap and 90-man camp limit of the following season.
In short terms, this contract is used for players who are just not there yet in terms of an active roster spot, but the team believes they might in the future. This means Hanks will be around during OTAs and Training Camp to fight for a spot on the active roster.
Dolphins head coach Brian Flores calls Hanks a hard worker who’s “smart, eager to learn, and working to get better.”
Terrill Hanks is arguably the greatest athlete to grace the halls of Immaculata-La Salle high school, and he’s a proud representation of what a Royal Lion could and should be.
