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Amari Nickerson is the Big Man on Campus at Cypress Ranch, recruiting circles.
Cy Ranch sophomore DT Vickerson has giant future ahead of him
The Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Kevin Vickerson starred at Michigan State and played eight years in the NFL. Now, his son, Amari Vickerson, is becoming the Big Man on Campus at Cypress Ranch High School and a highly sought-after recruit on a national scale.
“My dad has been training me since I was six years old,” Amari said. “When we aren’t talking football, we go fishing, play College Football 25, or watch sports like boxing or MMA.
“When it’s time to work, though, it’s time to work.”
Vickerson has offers from nearly every Power 4 program, and he’s just getting started. Watching football with his father, he admires the playing styles of Jalen Carter (Eagles), Von Miller (Bills), Myles Garrett (Browns), and J.J. Watt (former Texan).
“Yeah, I know the sacks and tackles for loss will be there because of my size, leverage, and hands,” the 6-foot-5, 290-pound defensive tackle said. “But I’m really working on my feet and my get-off right now. I’m focused on becoming dominant by combining technique with my size.”
What does he do to unwind?
“I love to work out, of course, but I also love to meditate,” Amari said. “It just calms my mind before a game or when things get stressful.”
This weekend, he’ll be headed to Texas A&M as he kicks off the "Amari Vickerson Road Tour".
“I’m looking for brotherhood, great facilities, and a coaching staff that can develop me,” he said. “A degree is important to me because I want to get into real estate or run my own business in the future. I want to learn how to talk business and understand what I’m talking about.”
His best football is still ahead of him, along with a bright future.
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.