[1] He grew up in McKinney, Texas attended nearby Prosper High School, where he played football and basketball for the Eagles, in addition to participating in track & field.

On February 4, 2014, Banogu signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Louisiana at Monroe on a football scholarship.

He recorded 5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss to earn a spot on the All-Sun Belt Conference Newcomer Team, but chose to leave the program after the season.

[5] Banogu scored his first collegiate touchdown during his senior season on a 47-yard return of a fumble recovery in a home win against Iowa State in September 2018.

[6] He ended the season with 8.5 sacks and 18.0 tackles for loss to once again be named First-team All-Big 12,[7] and helped lead the Frogs to a win over California in the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl.