The magazine tour provided DCTF with an up-close-and-personal look at each of the 13 FBS rosters across Texas. While pure talent is never a direct predictor of success, it does provide us a map of which teams are poised for potential runs at conference titles. 

Here is our list of most-talented rosters in Texas for the 2023 college football season. 

1. TEXAS LONGHORNS 

Best players: TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, LB Jaylan Ford, WR Xavier Worthy, QB Quinn Ewers, OT Kelvin Banks 

The Longhorns are the betting favorite in the Big 12 heading into 2023 thanks to a talented roster with plenty of experience. Texas ranks 19th nationally in returning production, according to ESPN, including 85 percent of its offense. The defense is in year three with the same defensive coordinator and position coaches. If not now, when for Steve Sarkisian’s club? 

2. TEXAS A&M AGGIES 

Best players: WR Evan Stewart, OG Layden Robinson, DT McKinnley Jackson, S Demani Richardson, WR Ainias Smith 

Jimbo Fisher’s program started the last two seasons ranked sixth in the nation due to a talented roster. A five-win 2022 is leaving most voters and summer magazines in a wait-and-see approach for the 2023 campaign. But the talent is there on both sides of the ball and new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino could unlock the young stars on offense. 

3. TCU HORNED FROGS 

Best players: CB Josh Newton, LB Johnny Hodges, S Bud Clark, OT Brandon Coleman, OT Andrew Coker 

Sonny Dykes’ club lost the most productive player at each of his position groups on both sides of the ball, but efforts in recruiting and in the transfer portal mean the Horned Frogs still possess the third-best roster in the Lone Star State. New additions such as wide receivers JoJo Earle and JP Richardson should help the offense. Cornerback Avery Helm should be an instant starter on defense. 

4. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS 

Best players: NT Jaylon Hutchings, WR Jerand Bradley, RB Tahj Brooks, DT Tony Bradford, CB Malik Dunlap 

The secret is out in Lubbock – the Red Raiders are legit Big 12 contenders entering into year two under Joey McGuire. The momentum in West Texas is undeniable and most of the production from the eight-win 2022 squad returns, especially on offense. The addition of center Rusty Staats and a healthy Cole Spencer at left guard helps in the trenches. Linebacker is a question mark, at least on paper. 

5. BAYLOR BEARS 

Best players: RB Richard Reese, WR Monaray Baldwin, OC Clark Barrington, LB Mike Smith, DB Devin Lemear 

No team in Texas has ridden as wild a rollercoaster since the start of 2020. The Bears went 2-7 in 2020, 12-2 in 2021, and 6-7 in 2022. That’s a Big 12 and Sugar Bowl championship season sandwiched between two losing seasons for Dave Aranda. He learned a lesson from 2022 and dipped into the portal for playmakers on both sides of the ball heading into 2023. 

6. SMU MUSTANGS 

Best players: DB Jonathan McGill, WR Jordan Kerley, QB Preston Stone, DT DeVere Levelston, WR Jake Bailey 

No team in Texas has overhauled its roster better through the portal and on the recruiting trail over the past two off seasons than Rhett Lashlee’s Mustangs. Over 70 of the 85 scholarship players have been signed in the last 18 months. SMU looks like a Power Five team on the practice field, especially with a revamped defensive roster. It should be one of the most talented rosters in the G5 ranks. 

7. HOUSTON COUGARS 

Best players: WR Matthew Golden, LT Patrick Paul, NT Chidozie Nwankwo, DE Nelson Ceaser, CB Alex Hogan 

A lot of the acquired talent needed for success in year 1 of the Big 12 arrived after spring workouts. The raw talent is there to push for six wins and a bowl bid in 2023, but questions at quarterback and on defense remain. A Week 1 clash with UTSA will tell us a lot about this new-look roster.

8. UTSA ROADRUNNERS 

Best players: QB Frank Harris, DB Rashad Wisdom, WR Joshua Cephus, LB Trey Moore, OT Makai Hart 

There might not be a better starting 22 in G5 football than what Jeff Traylor has acquired in San Antonio. Add in winning experience and the Roadrunners hope to crash the AAC party in year one after claiming consecutive CUSA titles with this core group of players. The depth might be tested thanks to a tough out-of-conference slate. 

9. NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN 

Best players: RB Ikaika Ragsdale, CB Ridge Texada, DE Mazin Richards, DB Logan Wilson, RB Ayo Adeyi 

Overturning a roster is part of the game for first-year head coaches due to the transfer portal. Eric Morris managed to keep most of his players in Denton while adding new faces to the starting lineup through the portal. The wide receiver room is loaded even with the departure of Jyaire Shorter. Chandler Rogers and Jace Rudder are competing for the starting quarterback spot with the money on Louisiana-Monroe transfer Rogers to win out.

10. TEXAS STATE BOBCATS 

Best players: DB Tory Spears, LB Lincoln Pare, DE Jordan Revels, DE Ben Bell, WR Ashtyn Hawkins 

Only Colorado added more new faces to the roster over the last six months. G.J. Kinne brought in over 50 players to help the Bobcats compete in year 1. The remaining players from last year’s squad such as Spears and Pare are leaders with a lot of talent. Texas State might be more talented than ever. The hard part might be building cohesion and chemistry. 

11. RICE OWLS 

Best players: WR Luke McCaffrey, EDGE Josh Pearcy, QB JT Daniels, WR Bradley Rozner, DB Gabe Taylor 

This is undoubtedly Mike Bloomgren’s best roster of his tenure. The wide receiver room is stacked, and former five-star quarterback Daniels should provide consistency to a position that’s struggled over the years. Pearcy could reach double-digit sacks. The secondary is too talented individually to struggle as much as they did in 2022. 

12. UTEP MINERS 

Best players: LB Tyrice Knight, DB Kobe Hylton, WR Tyrin Smith, DE Praise Amaewhule, QB Gavin Hardison 

Getting Smith back after the wide receiver spent the spring semester at Texas A&M is a shot in the arm for the offense. Hardison has the weapons on the outside to put up big numbers, and the offensive line returns four starters. The defense remains the strength of the team. If the cornerbacks emerge, the Miners should become bowl eligible in the revamped Conference USA. 

13. SAM HOUSTON BEARKATS 

Best players: RB Zach Hrbacek, DL Markel Perry, LB Trevor Williams, WR Ife Adeyi, LB Sincere Jackson 

Sam Houston is more talented than the layman understands because the Bearkats redshirted over a dozen starters last year to save eligibility for the maiden voyage in the FBS ranks. The starters are up to the task, but we’ll learn more about the second-half of the roster once they reach the middle of the schedule.