The college football season begins on Sept. 2 for 12 of the 13 FBS teams in the state of Texas. The lone exception in the Lone Star State is UTEP, which face Jacksonville State in Week 0 to begin Conference USA play. 

As we approach the start of another season, we’ll countdown the 50-most important players in college football. We’ll go one-by-one until Sept. 1 as we enter the top 20. 

Previous rankings: 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21

The college football season begins on Sept. 2 for 12 of the 13 FBS teams in the state of Texas. The lone exception in the Lone Star State is UTEP, which face Jacksonville State in Week 0 to begin Conference USA play. 

As we approach the start of another season, we’ll countdown the 50-most important players in college football. We’ll go one-by-one until Sept. 1 as we enter the top 20. 

No. 15: Baylor linebacker Mike Smith 

The History 

Smith is one of over a half dozen incoming transfers expected to start and make significant impacts for the Bears in 2023. Head coach Dave Aranda avoided the transfer portal last cycle, but relented and recalculated his approach following a disappointing 2022 campaign. Smith arrives from Liberty and is already becoming a leader of the program, according to coaches and teammates. Smith started in 12 games for Liberty in 2022, leading the team with 85 tackles, including 10 for loss. Before Liberty, Smith played three seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast where he was named All-MACCC South First Team. 

The Importance 

The Bears were forced to replace star linebacker Terrel Bernard following the historic 2021 campaign. They must replace Dillon Doyle heading into 2023. Smith provides Baylor a stabilizing force in the middle of the defense who can get sideline-to-sideline against the run and is an above-average pass rusher. He provides instant leadership and experience as an upperclassmen with over 300 tackles in his college career. Youth and inexperience cost Baylor’s defense multiple times in 2022. The duo of Smith and fellow linebacker Matt Jones should be one of the better second-level pairs in the Big 12. 

The Outlook 

The defense must improve for Baylor to return to the top of the Big 12. The unit helped the Bears win 12 games and a Big 12 crown in 2021 while only allowing 30 points or more once that season. Last year, the group allowed 30 or more points six times. Aranda fired his mentor, Ron Roberts, as defensive coordinator and brought in a handful of instant impact starters to help new DC Matt Powledge compete in year 1. Smith might be the best player on the side of the ball and one that Powledge relies on as a leader and playmaker in 2023. 

Previous: No. 16 Texas A&M DT Walter Nolen