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Wonder Twins... Activate: Grand Oaks' Thompson's time has come
Their older sister, Fallon, set the bar high, playing volleyball at Gonzaga. Now, Halle is following in her footsteps—and then some. The No. 2 volleyball recruit in the nation, she’s committed to Wisconsin and already boasts two Class 6A State Titles at Grand Oaks.
It took a little longer, but Cullen is now making his mark, exploding onto the football recruiting scene as a 6-foot-4 edge rusher.
“As twins, it’s different from just a regular sibling relationship,” Cullen said. “We share birthdays, we share a car, we share a deep connection. So when she was getting all the attention in volleyball, I wasn’t jealous—I was really proud. I knew my time would come.”
That time has arrived. With offers from SEC, Big 12, and Big Ten schools, Cullen is a rising force.
“I think my speed, lateral quickness, athleticism, and my ghost rush really set me apart,” he said. “My football journey is just getting started. My trainers call me ‘The Mutant.’ I didn’t watch much football growing up, but I’ve been told I have the athleticism of Javon Kearse—he was called ‘The Freak.’”
Athleticism runs in the family. Their mom, Libra Thompson, played volleyball at Rice and is known for her big personality. Their dad, Scott, is the more laid-back type.
And in a wild twist, when the twins were less than a year old, Libra was selected for the CBS reality show Big Brother, where she finished ninth overall after 38 days in the house.
“My mom is a big personality—that’s where Halle and I get it from,” Cullen laughed. “We get our rambunctious side from her. My dad is our chill side.”
The Thompson twins are a team in every sense, and Cullen is hoping to lead his Grand Oaks football squad to a historic season.
“I feel like Grand Oaks is on the rise,” he said. “I’m going to be showcased on defense, and we have some nice players around me. I really feel like I’m going to have a breakout senior season that will open up even more opportunities.”
An early graduate, Cullen is looking for the right fit at the next level.
“This process has taught me to be patient,” he said. “My time will come on the field in college, too. Graduating early will help me develop sooner. I’m going into a school to learn and earn my way on the field. I don’t have to play as a freshman—I just want a staff that will get the most out of me.”
THE ELITE: Henderson headlines top H-Town performers from Elite 11 Austin Regional
Several of Greater Houston’s top signal callers put on a show, standing out with big-time performances throughout the day.
Here are VYPE's MVP and Top 5 H-Town performers from the regional.
MVP
Five-Star Legacy Sports and Science quarterback Keisean Henderson punched his ticket to the Elite 11 Finals after a standout performance.
The Houston commit was dialed in during the drills session, showing precision and poise with every throw. When wide receivers joined for one-on-ones, Henderson continued to impress, delivering accurate passes and demonstrating his command of the field.
Next up, Henderson will head to Los Angeles for the Elite 11 Finals, set for June 17-19, where he’ll look to bring home the coveted MVP award.
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TOP 5
No. 1 - 2027 Iowa Colony QB Carson White
2027 Iowa Colony quarterback Carson White made a big impression throughout the day.
White showcased impressive accuracy and arm strength, especially on deep balls during one-on-ones. He also looked sharp working through pocket movement in the drills portion of the event, showing poise and polish beyond his years.
With 14 offers already on the table, the rising junior has a huge offseason ahead as he gears up for next fall.
No. 2 - Randle Quarterback Tyler Skrabanek
2026 Randle quarterback Tyler Skrabanek is coming in hot off a 5A DII State Championship run this past fall—and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Skrabanek put on a show at the Austin Regional, winning the Panini Accuracy Challenge with an impressive 25-point performance through a series of demanding drills. It was a big weekend for the Randle signal-caller, and if this outing is any indication, expect plenty more standout performances from Skrabanek as the camp season heats up.
No. 3 - 2026 North Shore Quarterback Kaleb Maryland
2026 North Shore Quarterback Kaleb Maryland is the next man up on the Eastside, set to take over the Mustangs' offense this fall.
Maryland had a solid showing recently, displaying impressive arm strength and accuracy on throws at all levels of the passing game. With official visits already set to Utah and Washington State, expect his recruitment to continue heating up as he steps into the QB1 role for one of Texas' premier programs.
No. 4 - Grand Oaks Quarterback Grant Smith
Three-star Grand Oaks quarterback Grant Smith has been making waves this offseason, delivering impressive performances on the 7-on-7 circuit and at the Elite 11 Austin Regional. Heading into his senior season, Smith’s stock continues to rise as he sharpens his game and showcases his skill set against top competition.
With camp season right around the corner, expect even more standout performances from Smith. If his recent outings are any indication, the Grand Oaks signal-caller is poised for a big year.
No. 5 - 2028 Waller Quarterback Tristin Gaines
Though many of the invites to the Austin Regional were rising juniors and seniors, a select few class of 2028 prospects also received the call—and one young talent stood out from the rest.
Waller quarterback TK Gaines made his way to Austin and turned heads with his performance on Saturday. Throughout drills, Gaines showcased poise beyond his years, displaying a smooth, effortless throwing motion. His baseball background was evident, as he made throwing on the run look easy, consistently delivering accurate passes from different arm slots.
It was clear that TK Gaines isn’t just a name to watch for the future—he’s already making an impression now.