Shad Banks Jr., born March 28, 2003, in Houston, Texas, is a standout American college football linebacker currently playing for the UTSA Roadrunners after transferring from TCU as a graduate student.[1][5] A four-star recruit ranked No. 98 overall by ESPN, he originally signed with Texas A&M before joining TCU in 2021, where he appeared in 42 games, amassing 114 tackles, 81 solo stops, 14 tackles for loss, two sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one pass breakup.[1][2][3] At North Shore High School, a perennial Texas powerhouse, Banks earned first-team MaxPreps All-American honors and District 21-6A Offensive MVP as a senior wide receiver in 2020, despite injuries limiting his junior year to five games; he helped secure back-to-back Texas 6A Division I state championships in 2018 and 2019.[1][3][6][7] Transitioning to linebacker in college, his freshman year at TCU featured a game-saving interception in a 30-28 upset over No. 12 Baylor.[1][3] As a sophomore in 2022, he contributed in all 15 games en route to the National Championship Game, including 10 tackles in the Big 12 title win over Kansas State.[1] In 2023, he led TCU with 8.5 tackles for loss and 62 total tackles (third on the team), starting eight of the final nine games and recording a career-high 11 tackles against Oklahoma.[1][3] Now at UTSA for the 2025 season, Banks was a first-team All-American Athletic Conference performer, leading the team with 94 tackles (56 solo), three interceptions, and three fumble recoveries.[1] Renowned for elite athleticism—listed on Bruce Feldman's Freaks List at No. 77 for his 4.4-second 40-yard dash, 38-inch vertical, and top speeds of 21 mph as a 6-1, 250-pound former Junior Olympic triple jump champion—he majors in youth advocacy with a minor in African American studies.[2][5] As of 2026, Banks remains a top NFL Draft prospect with strong coverage and pass-rush skills.[2][4]