CY-FAIR’S DEFENSIVE LINEMAN LANDON RINK WAS OFFERED A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP IN THE NINTH GRADE.
After starting as a freshman for the Bobcats, Texas Tech first threw their hat into the Landon Rink sweepstakes.
It isn’t a huge surprise that football would be his life since his father played defensive tackle at Texas and his mom played college soccer.
“I started playing when I was six years old, and I’ve tried to make myself a more refined athlete through each passing season,” he said. “My Dad (Shane Rink) has trained me from a young age and still does to this day as my defensive coach at Cy-Fair. That’s one of the things that keeps me in it and helps me to be steady.”
The reigning District 17-6A Defensive MVP has been the face of the Bobcats’ defense for three seasons, bleeding maroon and white.
“Growing up on this Cy-Fair team has been everything to me,” said Rink. “Competing in 6A means you’re facing the best of the best, so preparing for that starts with our amazing weight room program. We put a lot of work in there and builds us up for the level of competition we’re expected to face.
“Once the postseason arrives, we’ll eventually be looking to face some top guys like North Shore and Katy. When you play good competition, you make yourself play better. I feel like those have all been key components in what makes me the player I am.”
Given the prowess that the four-star defensive end has displayed in years past, Rink’s decision in April to play SEC football at Texas A&M came naturally.
“It’s home you know,” he said. “Everything about it suits me pretty well – the scheme, the culture there, the familiar relationships I have with the coaches. All of it blends together for the appeal it’s had for me.”
It’s easy to see where the Cy-Fair senior gets his inspiration from. But, what about his playing style?
“I love to borrow techniques from Aaron Donald (three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year),” Rink said. “He’s the best to ever do it on the D-Line. I also love taking stuff from Christian Wilkins (Las Vegas Raiders) and Dexter Lawrence (New York Giants)... those types of guys.
“I like to be my own person too, though. So, I try to make a good blend of everyone I aspire to be like when I’m on the field.”
When viewing his 6-foot-3, 280-lb physique, Rink was seemingly built to dedicate himself to big-time aspirations.
That doesn’t mean he’s been unable to enjoy his teen years in high school, though.
“Outside of the sport, I love to play video games like Madden or Fortnite and NCAA Football 25,” he said. “I like to go swimming too,since I have a pool in my backyard, which is a nice spot for my friends and I to hang out. Also, when watching TV, my current go-to shows have been The Boys and Rick & Morty."
As Rink and company suit up this Fall, they’ll be aiming to replicate the success they saw from a year ago, in which the Bobcats reached the UIL-6A-DI Regional round.
Considering BFND was knocked out of the playoffs by eventual State Finalist North Shore, Rink will look to cap off his remarkable career in a different fashion...before putting on the maroon and white of the Texas A&M Aggies.