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. 10: Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech senior outside linebacker 

The History

Wilson was a three-star recruit at West Rusk High School in East Texas who chose Texas A&M over a host of other offers that included Baylor, Florida, Oklahoma State, and TCU. He registered 249 career tackles, including 60 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks, in his three-year high school career at the Class 3A level. He was the District MVP of District 9-3A Division II and a second-team All-State selection as a senior. 

Wilson spent two years at Texas A&M before transferring to Texas Tech in August of 2020. As an Aggie, Wilson played in 12 games as a redshirt freshman in 2019. He tallied 12 tackles that season, including three for loss and 1.5 sacks. He took a redshirt as a true freshman in 2018. 

Wilson immediately worked his way into the rotation in Lubbock despite his late arrival. He played in nine games during the 2020 season, starting five times at defensive end. He amassed 11 tackles, including 1.5 sacks on the season and even recorded a start at defensive tackle due to injuries at the position. Wilson was one of four defenders to start all 13 games for Texas Tech in 2021. He was the team leader in tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (7) to go along with 38 total tackles. Wilson was an honorable mention Big 12 pick and the Defensive MVP of the Liberty Bowl. 

The Skillset 

Wilson is a physical freak of nature who stands at 6-6, 275 pounds and with long arms that allow him to punch first in battles against offensive linemen. He’s big enough to play with his hand on the ground as a defensive end and athletic enough to stand up and be an edge rusher. He’s perfectly suited to play outside linebacker in an odd-man front or as a traditional defensive end in a four-man defensive line. Wilson’s ability was never in question. A quick glance at his recruiting profile shows that numerous elite programs were in the mix for his services early on in his career. He’s become more polished as a pass rusher through the years and no longer relies solely on his physical gifts to make plays. He’s fine-tuned his technique and that’s a scary thought for opposing offenses. 

The Impact  

New Texas Tech defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter is known for creating havoc off the edge. Wilson provides him a player that can approach double-digit sack numbers on the season. Wilson should emerge as an All-Big 12 candidate by the end of the 2022 season if he can remain healthy. The Red Raiders will use him all over the field – as an outside linebacker and a defensive end. He’ll be a pass rushing specialist who is no slouch against the run. Wilson provides Texas Tech with a three-down edge player who makes life easier on his teammates because of the attention he demands from opponents. Texas Tech’s offense is sure to score points. Wilson providing a consistent pass rush takes pressure off the secondary and puts the Red Raiders in position to create turnovers. 

PREVIOUSLY ON THE LONE STAR 50 COUNTDOWN