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The Kinkaid School's Wayne Shanks Jr. (Arizona commit)
COLD STANDARD: Shanks Jr. brings more than a distinctive brand to Kinkaid’s pursuit of another SPC crown
“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.”
Shanks' signature "Too Cold" poseBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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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.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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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Randle's Landen Williams-Callis (Texas commit)
COMING FOR IT ALL: Texas-bound Williams-Callis chases history, legacy, and another ring with Randle
Yet, despite the heightened profile surrounding his future, Williams-Callis remains the same reserved presence that has defined his rise to national prominence.
“I try to be more vocal as a leader, but I can’t change who I am,” Williams-Callis said. “I’ve always been the type to keep my talking to a minimum, let my work speak for itself, and lead by example.”
Now entering his final high school campaign, Williams-Callis finds himself on the doorstep of legendary status. With 7,554 career rushing yards under his belt, LWC is on the verge of surpassing his cousin, former Lamar Consolidated standout and NFL running back Jacquizz Rodgers (8,302), for No. 2 on the Greater Houston-area all-time rushing leaderboard.
Furthermore, the prolific every-down back has his sights set on another historic milestone after a season that produced Gatorade Texas Football Player of the Year recognition and his third consecutive District MVP award — fueled by an astounding 3,502 rushing yards and 59 touchdowns. Matching that level of dominance would put Williams-Callis within striking distance of Mount Enterprise’s Kaegan Ash (11,382) and Sugar Land’s Kenneth Hall (11,232) for the title of Texas high school football’s all-time leading career rusher.
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Collectively, Randle’s motivation stems from a chance to finish what they started. The Lions (15-1) were denied a repeat UIL title last December in a 35-19 defeat against South Oak Cliff in the 5A Division II State Championship. Now moving to 5A Division I, Williams-Callis is once again at the center of a team in pursuit of its second state title.
“I’ve been trying to get the guys on track heading into this season,” he said. “We lost at State, but don’t let that get in the way of what we can do. We’ve got to come with it, work, put our heads down, and get ready for what’s next.”
For Williams-Callis, the pursuit of greatness has never been defined solely by the numbers attached to his name. Records, accolades, and recognition are simply byproducts of a daily commitment to maximizing the talents he believes were given to him for a reason.
“You know, I’m definitely going to celebrate with my teammates and my family, but I don’t think it’ll really hit me in the moment,” Williams-Callis said. “When we won State, I didn’t know how to process it at first. We work toward those goals every day, so when it finally happens, it almost feels normal. I think it’ll probably feel the same way. No matter what happens, I’m giving all the glory to God.”
The records may tell the story of Williams-Callis’ production, but they don’t fully capture the player or person behind them.
“What keeps me going is knowing I can’t take the God-given talents I have for granted,” he said. “Every day, I want to get to it. I want to prove I’m the best at what I do, be known as a good person, and be remembered as the greatest to ever come through Houston.”
A player whose reputation has grown louder with every accomplishment, Williams-Callis has always operated the same way: prepare, compete, and let the results follow. Now, as his time at Randle nears its conclusion, he has one more opportunity to show why the process matters most.
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