The college football season in Texas starts a week earlier than normal with a Week 0 matchup between North Texas and UTEP. To celebrate us making it through another off-season, we’re counting down the 50 most important players in Texas every day until Aug. 27. The list isn’t necessarily about which players are the best, though talent plays a major factor in most important. 

No. 43: Steve Avila, TCU senior center 

The History

Avila spurned offers from programs such as Kansas State and Utah to stay close to home and play Big 12 football for the Horned Frogs after a strong career in DFW at South Grand Prairie High School. He was a four-star talent according to ESPN who ranked as the 42nd-best guard in the country. Like most offensive linemen, Avila needed a couple of years to mold his body into shape. He took a redshirt in 2018 and was a reserve during the 11 games he played in as a redshirt freshman in 2019. 

Avila began to assert himself into the starting lineup for the Horned Frogs as a sophomore in 2020 when he started in each of the nine games he played in that season. His positional versatility was on full display by starting six games at center, two at right tackle, and one at right guard. He is the only Horned Frog to do so and was named to the 202 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 team for his efforts. 

Avila started 11 games at center for TCU in 2021, playing right guard against Texas. He ended the year as a second-team All-Big 12 selection. He was a first-team All-Texas College Football selection by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. He is a 2022 first-team All-Texas College Football in the DCTF summer magazine. 

The Skillset

The 6-4, 334-pound Avila is big and powerful at the point of attack. He’s stronger than most centers and agile enough to pass block and move in space. The 2020 season showed that he can play all three positions along the offensive line. He’s best at center because of his physical and mental traits. The rushing attack wasn’t one of the problems in 2021. The Horned Frogs averaged five yards a carry and scored 21 times on the ground. He’s started 20 of the last 22 games for TCU, which means he’s durable and dependable at one of the most demanding positions in football. 

The Impact

The offensive line functions as a unit more than any position on the field. Avila’s experience organizing that unit is invaluable under a new coaching staff. Sonny Dykes’ staff brought in multiple new faces to the offensive line, so Avila provides a steady presence with experience in the middle. He’s also played center for both returning quarterbacks. Avila’s ability to move around the offensive line also helps the Horned Frogs. If a guy like Alan Ali is best at center, Avila can shift to guard without a problem. If injuries haunt TCU at tackle, he’s proven capable of playing outside. There aren’t many more offensive lineman in Texas more valuable than Avila due to his myriad of traits. 

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