We’re counting down the 50 most important college football players in Texas, and we’ve reached the top of the list. 

When determining the most important players, we have to take into account factors from returning production to position. But most importantly, we’re looking at the players who we believe can swing seasons. 

Naturally, the top group features multiple quarterbacks who can make or break their teams’ offenses. However, the top of the list is a couple of guys who have a chance to push for national recognition – and to compete for their conference crowns. 

Here are the 10 most important college football players in Texas in 2021. 

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10. QB Tyler Shough, Texas Tech

Is Texas Tech just a quarterback away? We’ll find out once and for all as Oregon transfer Shough takes over under center. The Pac-12 champion quarterback completed 63.5 percent to hif passes for 1,559 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions in seven appearances with the Ducks. 

The Red Raiders ranked No. 90 nationally in yards per pass attempt, behind struggling offenses like Michigan State, UTEP and Tennessee. If Shough can provide stability, the receiver talent at Texas Tech ranks among the best in the state. 

9. QB Eric Schmid, Sam Houston

No matter what happens this season, Schmid is already a legend at Sam Houston for throwing a national championship-winning pass, the first ever in program history. After accumulating 28 touchdowns in just 10 games, Schmid is back for more this fall. 

The senior from The Woodlands had offers to play other positions at major schools, but wanted a shot under center at Sam Houston. When he’s healthy, the Bearkats are a different program. Schmid will compete for the Walter Payton Award. 

8. DE DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M

The one-time 5-star has transformed himself into a potential first team All-American on the defensive line and become a leader of the Aggies defense. Over his first two seasons, Leal posted 75 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. 

But while his numbers are good, the physical leadership role Leal plays in freeing up fellow defensive linemen is an integral part of Texas A&M’s defensive resurgence. Especially in the SEC, games are won and lost in the trenches and Leal represents a massive advantage – one of the biggest in the state. 

7. WR Reggie Roberson, SMU

Roberson has played 12 games over the past two seasons because of injuries. In those 12 games, Roberson has caught 65 passes for 1,277 yards and 11 touchdowns. More importantly, SMU is undefeated over that stretch with wins over No. 25 Memphis, No. 25 TCU and Houston. 

All this to say, Roberson is a nearly unmatched game-changer at receiver when he’s healthy. When I asked an SMU source why the Mustangs have been so much better with Roberson, his answer was simple. 

“I don’t know, but he better stay on the field for us this year.” 

6. RB Bijan Robinson, Texas

Perhaps the most hyped player of the offseason, Robinson brings some real reasons for excitement with the way he finished 2020. The Arizona native rushed for 522 yards and four touchdowns in his final four games, along with a pair of receiving scores in the bowl game against Colorado. 

Steve Sarkisian noted that he wants Robinson to get at least 20 touches per game, a role Robinson never even played in high school. If Robinson can be a dynamic impact player, it gives Sarkisian something to build around heading forward. 

5. DB Jalen Pitre, Baylor

Pitre was the only player from the 2017 recruiting class that stuck with Baylor after the scandal, earning him mythical status as “The One Who Stayed.” In 2021, the nation is going to know Pitre as perhaps the most versatile and dynamic nickelback in America. 

The Stafford product played both linebacker and safety in his five-year Baylor career, giving him a unique skill set that translates perfectly to Dave Aranda’s “STAR” hybrid position. He led the Bears with 60 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two pick-sixes and two passes defended. The future is bright. 

4. RB Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M

Jimbo Fisher earns deserved acclaim for developing quarterbacks, but his running backs really lead the way. In Spiller, Fisher has a rusher who could potentially be the first running back off the board in the NFL draft. 

Spiller rushed for 1,036 yards and nine touchdowns in an All-SEC sophomore season. With the way Fisher runs offense, controlling the pace of play is key. Spiller’s decisive yet relentless running style allows the Texas A&M offense to stay on the field and keep the defense fresh. 

3. QB Max Duggan, TCU

Coming out of high school, Duggan wasn’t supposed to get on the field. It took a slew of quarterback injuries and transfers to thrust him into that position. The first two years were a mixed bag, but things are lining up in year three. 

Duggan just went through his first real offseason as a starting quarterback. He has returning weapons like Quentin Johnston and Taye Barber to lean on. The offensive line should take a step forward. Finally this year, we should see once and for all whether Duggan has the upside to lead TCU to Big 12 title contention. 

2. OL Kenyon Green, Texas A&M

After putting together an elite season on the offensive line, four Texas A&M starters left for the NFL. Luckily, the one left might be the best lineman in America. 

Green was so good as a true freshman in 2019 that Jimbo Fisher slotted him at left guard just to get him on the field. This fall, Green slides over to the left tackle spot, where he will use his 6-foot-4, 325-pound frame to protect the blind side. If you have a star at one offensive line position, left tackle is a great start. 

1. RB Sincere McCormick, UTSA

In a state full of great football players, Sincere McCormick stands apart. In addition to being the leading rusher in the state – by a lot – McCormick is the face of Jeff Traylor’s new era at UTSA. The 2020 DCTF Texas College Player of the Year is the catalyst for UTSA’s offense both on and off the field. 

How dependent is UTSA on McCormick’s offense? The junior running back is responsible for nearly a third of UTSA’s total yardage and a quarter of touchdowns over the past two seasons. UTSA’s yards per play jumps 13 percent when McCormick touches the ball, a major statistical outlier for a running back. For comparison, Texas A&M’s offense is four percent less efficient when Spiller touches the ball.