Top 2027 RB Wayne Shanks Jr. Building Early Bond with Notre Dame
2025 has been very good to 2027 Kincaid School (Texas) running back Wayne Shanks Jr.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder is fresh off a state championship after a massive junior season in which he rushed for 1,787 yards and 24 touchdowns, while adding 26 receptions for 352 yards and six more scores.
Shanks isn’t slowing down this offseason, as he’s turned his focus to track with the 2026 season already on the horizon. The Houston native runs the 100, 200 and 400 meters, while also competing in the discus and shot put.
“I'm looking to get, hopefully, like 10.5,” Shanks told ISD. “Last year, I was kind of battling some injuries, or else that would have been kind of the ending mark last season.”
Notre Dame offered Shanks in early June and he made his way to South Bend for the USC game this fall.
Shanks has enjoyed getting to know running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider and looks forward to continuing to build that relationship in the coming months.
“I've been in pretty consistent conversation with Coach Seider,” explained Shanks. “I just kind of hear from them every now and then. I know they're just coming off the season, kind of fresh off the season now. I’m hoping to hear more from them and see them this winter at the school.”
Those conversations have already left a strong impression on the four-star prospect, as the two have discussed more than just football.
“I think he's kind of chill,” Shanks said. “We kind of have conversations about anything. I feel like he's one of those guys who isn’t going to say a lot, but whenever he does, it has a lot of meaning to it.”
Relationships will be a significant factor for Shanks in his recruiting and given the distance from Houston to South Bend, it might be even more important.
“I feel like that really is a big deal for me,” Shanks explained. “With most schools, a lot of schools besides Houston, they will be a little ways home. I feel like just keeping a strong relationship is really a big deal for me.”
Notre Dame also has a clear on-field selling point: Jeremiyah Love.
Shanks is well aware of what Love and Jadarian Price accomplished this season, a combination that’s tough for other programs to match.
“That’s huge,” said Shanks. “All these awards that he's winning and the recognition – I'm seeing his skill set. I know he has some crazy stat lines and everything, but I've watched him in person. I've seen tape and his ootwork is insane. It's crazy.
“It really shows that development. It’s not just him. I see Jadarian Price performing well. Also having that 1-2 back punch. I feel like that's also huge, just showing it's not just a fluke.”
The next month will be important for Shanks and his recruitment. Coaches will hit the road in January and he’ll be paying close attention to who stops by the Kincaid School.
“I don’t have dates locked in,” Shanks said when asked about his spring visit schedule. “I'm kind of looking to narrow the list down, probably like a top 10 or a top 12, after this contact period. After this next contact period comes around, I’ll see where I am with different schools and everything.”
When it comes to the criteria for a future school, Shanks already has an idea of what he wants.
“I'm looking for that development portion for the next leve,” said Shanks. “I want to be able to perform at the next level and be able to stay healthy while I'm there. I feel like that's really huge for me. And then life after football, setting me up with a plan and obviously having a good major and making connections with different people. Education is a really big part of my life, especially being at a private school that is high on education. I feel like that is huge for me.”
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