Dave Campbell’s Texas Football is counting down the 50 most important players in the state of Texas, and we’re now cruising through the top 10.

Most important doesn’t always mean the most talented. Talent is a factor, but we’re weighing it against depth at the position, production and how much losing this player would impact a team’s trajectory.

The No. 7 player in the state plays at the FCS level, but puts up numbers against any and everyone he faces. Sam Houston State receiver Nathan Stewart helped power quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe to a Walter Payton Award, and now will take ownership of the offense.

Check back over the next several days as we count down the rest of the top 10.

Previous: Nos. 50-11 | No. 10 SMU WR James Proche | No. 9 Texas OT Calvin Anderson | No. 8 TCU QB Shawn Robinson

The History

Sam Houston State wide receiver Nathan Stewart didn’t reach 1,000 receiving yards until his senior season at Bryan Adams High School. Once he reached the plateau, he hasn’t stopped.

Stewart became the first Bearkat in program history to post 1,000 yards receiving in a season. He finished his freshman campaign with 52 catches for 1,004 yards and 12 touchdowns. His 19.3 yards per reception and touchdown mark both ranked top 12 among all FCS players.

Somehow, Stewart drastically exceeded expectations in 2017. He led all Division I players with 1,648 receiving yards and fourth in the FCS with 14 touchdown receptions. In fact, Stewart is the only player in Sam Houston State history with multiple 1,000-yard seasons.

Stewart crossed the 100-yard plateau in seven of his 14 games last season. Perhaps more impressive, he only posted fewer than 50 yards in one game. It didn’t matter how teams game planned against him; Stewart is simply too good.

The Skillset

Stewart has legitimate breakaway ability every time he touches the football. His career average is 21.4 yards per reception, and he posted a reception of at least 20 yards in every game for Sam Houston State in 2017.

That said, Stewart still posted 72 receptions last season. He posted at least five receptions in nine different games. He has a frame big enough to make plays over and through defensive backs. That will need to be the next evaluation of his game.

Expert insight

“Nathan Stewart has been an electric receiver ever since he stepped on campus in 2016. Leading all of Division I in receiving yards a year ago, he was instrumental in helping Sam Houston State’s explosive offense with catches of 40 or more yards in 11 of 14 games. His ability to separate from defensive backs down the sideline is what makes him so dangerous as illustrated by his 14 touchdowns averaging more than 33 yards in distance.”

–Gene Shallenberg, The Huntsville Item

The Impact

Sam Houston State lost two-time Walter Payton Award winning quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe to the NFL. Briscoe threw for more than 5,000 yards during a record-breaking senior season in Huntsville. The leadership responsibilities on offense will be up for grabs.

Granted, Stewart does have help. Fellow wide receiver Davion Davis is back. Davis posted 1,200 yards and an FCS-best 17 touchdowns in 2017. But still, both quarterbacks who threw a pass last season are gone.

Sam Houston State fans deservedly have championship expectations. Having a player like Stewart who can force mismatches and take an entire side of a football field away from a defense can be a game-changer. Sam Houston State needs Stewart to continue growing.