One thing is certain: Wayne Shanks Jr. has a nickname that matches his style.
“Too Cold” — featured on his X handle, @shanks2cold, and showcased through his signature shivering pose — has become a calling card of the Kinkaid tailback. But the persona only scratches the surface, as Shanks’ preparation and team-first mentality are just as synonymous with his ascent as the nickname itself.
“Going from middle school to high school, I came up with it off the top of my head, and from there it just stuck with me,” Shanks said. “A couple of guys at Kinkaid helped me start doing the shivering motion, and it kind of became my thing. I feel like it’s definitely helped set me apart.”
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That identity has followed Shanks into one of the most dominant stretches of his career. The three-star Arizona commit erupted for 2,461 all-purpose yards and 31 touchdowns last fall, propelling the Falcons (9-2) to back-to-back SPC 4A championships while earning MVP honors and All-SPC recognition along the way.
Few organizations can rival the legacy that The Kinkaid School has built, boasting 34 SPC titles — seven of which have come in the last ten seasons alone. Shanks’ dynamic playmaking as a centerpiece in head coach Nathan Larned’s offensive scheme has the Falcons positioned to chase a third straight championship.
The modern running back has evolved into much more than a ball carrier, and Shanks embodies that shift. Drawing inspiration from the all-around skill sets of NFL stars such as Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey, he has embraced the role of a complete offensive weapon capable of changing the game in multiple ways.
“I think my versatility and being able to do a little bit of everything on the field has helped me establish myself,” he said. “Whether I need to catch passes, run somebody over, contribute on special teams, return kicks or punts — it’s wherever I need to be to help the team.”
That same selfless approach will be critical as Kinkaid looks to extend its championship streak to three.
“We’re going to need a strong foundation of team chemistry to get there,” Shanks said. “We’d be the first team to do it in the SPC (4A), so it’s about holding each other accountable, staying connected, and making sure the work we’ve put in throughout the offseason shows up on the field.”
The recognition surrounding Shanks has only expanded his platform, but he understands the impact of football reaches far beyond what happens on Friday nights.
“Football is only going to last so long, so you have to build the way people view you beyond the sport,” he said. “You want to be someone who is family-oriented, shows good sportsmanship, and genuinely cares about other people. It takes a lot of discipline and preparation to become the person you want to be, and I have my parents and Jesus Christ to thank for helping me get there. That’s the type of person I want to be known as.”
As Shanks continues to carve his place in Kinkaid history, “Too Cold” represents more than a celebration — it’s a reflection of the humility, confidence, and commitment that have guided him throughout his journey.
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