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Wayne Shanks Jr. is that dude at Kinkaid
Shanks the "Next Big Thing" at Kinkaid
The running back position is back in the recruiting spotlight after taking a back seat the past few seasons.
The Kinkaid School’s Wayne Shanks Jr. is front and center after earning a VYPE Offensive Player of the Year nomination, leading the Falcons to an SPC Championship as a sophomore.
Shanks played for Cypress Woods his freshman year, earning the District 16-6A Newcomer of the Year title in 2023.
So, what’s next for the junior-to-be?
“I’m working on my stock and showcasing my talent to colleges across the country,” he said. “I’m figuring out which schools are most interested in me and what a good fit would be.
“My strength is my versatility. I’m not going to say I’m better at one thing than another... I’m good at multiple things. If we need a fourth-and-two, I’m going to get the first down. You can put me at receiver, and I can make someone miss and go score. I can also fill a hole and make a linebacker miss for a big play.”
With his already impressive resume, it’s no surprise that Shanks has pulled offers from the SEC, ACC, and Big 12, to name a few.
“I’ll be visiting Kansas, Houston, TCU, SMU, and Baylor starting next week,” he said. “I’m excited to see the campuses and meet the coaches. I’m continuing to build my relationships with Texas, Texas A&M, and LSU.”
Oklahoma and Florida State have also recently offered.
For now, he’s locked in on the purple and gold—the Kinkaid Falcons.
“The education here is great,” he said. “If I’m struggling with something, my teachers are here to help. It’s just more attention. The people are very caring and take care of you here at Kinkaid.
“From a football perspective, no one works harder than us—in the classroom, the weight room, or on the football field. The coaches push us and hold us to the gold standard.”
The school has an impressive football lineage, with LSU’s Josh Williams and Dillon Bell (Georgia) and Micah Bell (Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Georgia) recently walking the halls.
Shanks is just the “next big thing” to come out of the prestigious private school inside the loop in H-Town.
Concordia Lutheran Sr. QB Tanner Huckfelt signs with Butler University on February 5th
THE BUTLER WAY: Concordia Lutheran’s Huckfelt signs with Butler ahead of graduation
At long last, the star quarterback for ‘Sader Nation’s renowned football program has decided where he’ll call home in the near future.
Just three months after leading Concordia to a respectable 7-4 record and a spot in the TAPPS-D1 postseason, senior Tanner Huckfelt announced his commitment to continue his playing career at Butler University on Tuesday night.
Though a coaching change was made in December with the hiring of Kevin Lynch, the former offensive coordinator at Ball State and son of Butler alumnus and former head coach Bill Lynch (1985-1989), Huckfelt’s most recent official visit to Indianapolis sealed the deal.
“Whenever I got up there to meet him (Lynch) and see what he’s about, and everything he’s bringing to Butler, that really sparked my interest more than it initially was,” Huckfelt said. “Plus, whenever I went there before, there weren’t any students on campus, so I didn’t get the full experience until this last visit. That kind of did it for me—seeing all the activity and understanding where I would be.
“I also got to sit in a meeting with their quarterbacks coach, Eddie Schott, who originally recruited me. We went over some of their plays, and he explained how things would work for me as the QB and how I’d fit in. I just loved everything about it. Both Lynch’s and Schott’s philosophies really spoke to me.”
Huckfelt made his decision just in time for National Signing Day (February 5th), and this will mark the third Huckfelt child to become a next-level athlete, following his older brothers, Carson (Southwestern football) and Brady (St. Edward’s baseball).
While home and family are important to the soon-to-be Bulldog, the prospect of a new environment has him eager for June to arrive.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“I’m excited to be on my own, in a way, and embrace that independence when it comes to school, football, and life in general,” Huckfelt said. “Of course, I’m still going to talk to them (his family) about everything that happens at practice, the game plan, and watch film with my dad, just like we always do before games. But they’ve prepared me well, and I think I’m ready to go.”
When asked what he thinks he’s most improved on since joining the Crusaders as a sophomore, Huckfelt was quick to respond.
“Leadership,” he said. “Coach (Willie) Amendola taught me so much—not only about football but also about what it means to be a leader in general. I think the practices will stick with me the most once I graduate because taking it all in has had such a profound impact on me. At this point in my life, I know I made the right decision when I transferred to Concordia.”
Huckfelt is now in the closing stages of his high school career, currently competing on the track team. But soon, he’ll realize his dream of playing college ball, while also pursuing a degree in Sports Media.
For now, he can relish in the moment when he finally puts pen to paper.