RANKINGS
BEARDOWN: 2026 Grand Oaks Safety Griffin Tillis commits to Arizona
Yesterday, 2026 Grand Oaks (Texas) three-star Safety Griffin Tillis committed to Arizona after earning an offer from their camp and an official visit trip.
"I got the offer after going to the camp last Monday and then came back up for an official visit later in the week," Tillis said. "Coach Brennan, Coach Gonzales, and Coach Arce are all great people and really showed me it's really like a big family there which is why I wanted to commit.
The three-star safety left Tuscon with a new home playing in a Power 4 conference but also had a great story with an unlikely hype man that helped get him ready for the camp and eventual earning an offer and committing.
"So the crazy story is I flew to Tuscon for their prospects camp on Monday and I got picked up by an uber driver who took me to campus. The uber driver was talking to me on the drive about Tuscon hyping me up telling me I know I don't know you but I know you're going to do great and get that offer," he said. "After we got out of the uber he asked to take a picture with me so he could say I told you so once I got the offer and committed so I knew I had to go out there and compete the way I know I can and prove him right and I did."
With his commitment now out of the way ahead his upcoming senior year, Tillis is ready to help lead Grand Oaks to a playoff birth next fall.
"Our goal right now is to get to the playoffs this year, we've been working all season and know we have what it takes to get there," he said. "We're blessed to play for Coach McDowell and the other coaches on staff there and all I can say is we're on the way so stay tuned."
THE RETURN: Lloyd Banks Heads Back to Where It All Began
Lloyd Banks has been the face of Greater Houston high school track for more than a decade, leading the Fort Bend Marshall boys and girls programs to UIL gold—again and again and again.
But all dynasties evolve, and Banks’ legendary run at Marshall has come to a close—sending shockwaves throughout the Texas high school track community.
VYPE’s Matt Malatesta caught up with the iconic coach at his new home: Jack Yates High School.
This isn’t just a new chapter—it’s a full-circle moment. Banks is a proud Yates alum and previously served as an assistant coach for the Lions.
Now, he's back where it all began.
Because for Lloyd Banks, home is where the heart is.