GAMES
RANKINGS
VYPE Spotlight | Kinkaid RB and Arizona-Commit Wayne Shanks Jr.
Wayne Shanks Jr. has established himself as one of the premier running backs in the Greater Houston area and one of the top talents in Texas' private school ranks.
The Kinkaid standout has been a driving force behind the Falcons' recent dominance, helping lead the program to back-to-back SPC Championships. Now entering the 2026 season, Kinkaid has its sights set on an impressive third consecutive conference title, and Shanks is expected to once again be the centerpiece of the offense. His impact extends beyond Friday nights. Shanks has embraced the recruiting process while continuing to build his personal brand, understanding that success today comes from excellence both on and off the field.
His leadership, work ethic and professionalism have made him a respected figure among teammates and one of the most recognizable athletes in Houston's private school football scene.
VYPE caught up with Shanks during the 2026 VYPE Football Media Day to talk his commitment to Arizona, the growth of his personal brand, the responsibility of leading a championship program and what it will take for Kinkaid to capture a third straight SPC crown. As his senior season approaches, Shanks remains focused on one goal above all else—adding another championship to an already impressive résumé before taking his talents to the next level.
THE HOT 100: Houston’s Top Prospects in the Class of 2027
After breaking down film, attending 7 on 7 events, talking with coaches and evaluating previous performances, VYPE Media breaks down the city of Houston's Top 100 prospects for the Class of 2027.
From Galveston to Katy and North Shore to Willis, here are the Who's Who of seniors-to-be as they enter Spring football. The rankings will fluctuate over the summer and fall, but here is the LIST!
...
VYPE HOT 100 2027 HOUSTON RECRUITS
No. 1 - Landen Williams-Callis, Randle, Running Back
No. 2 - Kennedy Brown, Kingwood, Offensive Tackle
No. 3 - Kaden McCarty, Cy Falls, Edge, Texas A&M-Commit
No. 4 - Alvin Mosley, Crawford, Wide Receiver
No. 5 - Xavier Muhammad, South Houston, Defensive Lineman
No. 6 - Ezekiel Ayangbile, Langham Creek, Defensive Lineman
No. 7 - Benny Easter, Summer Creek, Wide Receiver, Texas Tech-Commit
No. 8 - Blake Jenkins, Tompkins, Cornerback
No. 9 - Carson White, Iowa Colony, Quarterback
No. 10 - Trenton Blaylock, Atascocita, Cornerback
…
No. 11 - Keyon Hemphill-Woods, Columbus, Offensive Lineman
No. 12 - Amari Vickerson, Cy Ranch, Defensive Lineman, SMU-Commit
No. 13 - DeMarco Jenkins, Pearland, Defensive Lineman
No. 14 - Aaron Williams, Ridge Point, Linebacker
No. 15 - Braylon Fisher, Columbus, Wide Receiver
No. 16 - Brandon Sherrard, Shadow Creek, Cornerback
No. 17 - Karnell ‘Greedy’ James, Manvel, Safety, Texas-Commit
No. 18 - Wayne Shanks Jr, Kinkaid, Running Back
No. 19 - Tristan Willis, CE King, Running Back
No. 20 - Cade Haug, Kingwood, Linebacker, Texas-Commit
…
No. 21 - Braylon Lane, CE King, Wide Receiver
No. 22 - Braiden Graves, Bridgeland, Safety
No. 23 - Julian Cromartie, College Park, Wide Receiver
No. 24 - Aden Starling, Shadow Creek, Wide Receiver, Georgia-Commit
No. 25 - Antwon Sanders, CE King, Running Back
No. 26 - Antonio Underwood, Westfield, Defensive Lineman, Texas Tech-Commit
No. 27 - James Harris, Cy Falls, Defensive End
No. 28 - Davon Smith, Westfield, Linebacker
No. 29 - Jason Johnson, Atascocita, Defensive Lineman
No. 30 - Alexander Coey, Conroe, Defensive End
…
No. 31 - Kameron Roberson, Cy Springs, Defensive Back
No. 32 - Joshua Vilmael, FB Travis, Defensive Back
No. 33 - Finn Walker, Oak Ridge, Defensive Line
No. 34 - Kingston Tupuola, Conroe, Offensive Lineman
No. 35 - Jhadyn Nelson, Langham Creek, Linebacker
No. 36 - Brandon Hebert, North Shore, Offensive Lineman
No. 37 - Darnell Jackson Jr., Grand Oaks, Wide Receiver
No. 38 - Eli Kelly, Legacy SSS, Athlete
No. 39 - Elijah Wright, Katy Jordan, Defensive Lineman
No. 40 - Landon Williams, Katy Jordan, Wide Receiver
…
No. 41 - Anthony James, La Marque, Linebacker
No. 42 - Abdus Kone, North Shore, Offensive Lineman
No. 43 - Cael Thigpen, Jersey Village, Defensive End
No. 44 - Bryson Dossett, Ridge Point, Defensive Back
No. 45 - Caleb White, Summer Creek, Defensive Back
No. 46 - Samuel Weary, Manvel, Linebacker - 9 Offers
No. 47 - Jordan Simmons, Yates, Wide Receiver
No. 48 - Larry Brown, Summer Creek, Wide Receiver
No. 49 - Braden Baker, Cy Ranch, Quarterback
No. 50 - Suhaib Ramseur, Ridge Point, Wide Receiver
…
No. 51 - Aubrey Johnson, North shore, Wide Reciever
No. 52 - Isaac Coughran, Katy, Offensive Lineman
No. 53 - Liam Madkins, Cy Falls, Athlete
No. 54 - Jlynnd Kellow, Willis, Cornerback
No. 55 - Kamar Chavez-Brown, Randle, Wide Receiver
No. 56 - Kevin Ferrygood, Cy Fair, Wide Receiver
No. 57 - Chad Nelson, Mayde Creek, Athlete
No. 58 - La’Damian Defreeze, North Shore, Wide Receiver
No. 59 - Noah Spinks, Summer Creek, Quarterback
No. 60 - Mo Poko, Katy Jordan, Athlete
…
No. 61 - Camden Hughes, College Park, Quarterback
No. 62 - Yogi Martin, Cy Springs, Athlete
No. 63 - Waylan Nolen, Willis, Defensive End
No. 64 - Chase Lewis, Dickinson, Defensive End
No. 65 - Brian Manuel Jr., Atascocita, Wide Receiver
No. 66 - Khylan Davis, Hightower, Quarterback
No. 67 - Cayden Williams, Willis, Linebacker
No. 68 - Kash Schwab, Bridgeland, Running Back
No. 69 - Andre Phillip II, Klein Oak, Quarterback
No. 70 - Davion Vanderbilt, Channelview, Wide Receiver
…
No. 71 - Jared Hagger, Cy Springs, Quarterback
No. 72 - Tyler Washington, Paetow, Defensive Back
No. 73 - Caden Watson, La Porte, Linebacker
No. 74 - Brandon Smith Jr., Elsik, Running Back
No. 75 - Camron Alakija, Crawford, Linebacker
No. 76 - Demarcus West, Shadow Creek, Offensive Lineman
No. 77 - Braylin Causey, Summer Creek, running Back
No. 78 - Bryce Coleman, Shadow Creek, Wide Receiver
No. 79 - Ty Greene, Stratford, Athlete
No. 80 - Emmitt Hines, Nimitz, Defensive Back
…
No. 81 - Chase Allen, Bridgeland, Offensive Lineman
No. 82 - Chase Brown, North Shore, Offensive Lineman
No. 83 - Raiden Cook, Barbers Hill, Defensive End
No. 84 - Camron Alakija, Crawford, Linebacker
No. 85 - Quincy Carter, Klein Oak, Safety
No. 86 - Manny Leyja, Cy Ranch, Wide Receiver
No. 87 - Jordin Jones, Westfield, Lineback
No. 88 - Jaylin Jones, Westfield, Linebacker
No. 89 - Kaden Brandley, North Shore, Running Back
No. 90 - Amir Johnson, Crawford, Tight End
…
No. 91 - Samuel Thiergood, Randle, Offensive Lineman
No. 92 - Brody Bartee, Ridge Point, Quarterback
No. 93 - Drayton Hawkins, Cy-Fair, Linebacker
No. 94 - Omosefe Ayemere, Elkins, Edge
No. 95 - Magnus Herndon, The Woodlands, Edge
No. 96 - Tony Guillory, North Shore, Defensive Back
No. 97 - Lorenzo Aguirre, Dickinson, Quarterback
No. 98 - Colton Weddel, The Woodlands, Tight End
No. 99 - Jacob Lee, Cypress Ranch, Athlete
No. 100 - Javion Garrett, Katy Taylor, Running Back