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 count down 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

No. 14: Texas LT Kelvin Banks Jr.

The History

This season's iteration of the Texas offensive line would look far different, and far less imposing, had Mario Cristobal not ditched Oregon in December 2021 for the head job at Miami. Cristobal's departure also meant the Ducks lost commitments from five-star Humble Summer Creek offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. and Duncanville tackle Cameron Williams. One program's loss is another's gain, and Texas swooped in to secure Banks and Williams as part of a massive seven-man offensive line haul in the Class of 2022.

Banks was the Longhorns' highest-rated offensive line commitment since 2007, until fellow 2022 five-star DJ Campbell committed, and he delivered with 13 starts at left tackle as a freshman. In just the second game of his collegiate career, Banks more than held his own against Alabama's Will Anderson Jr., the third overall selection in this year's NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4-inch, 324-pound tackle was repeatedly tested by NFL prospects, facing seventh overall selection Tyree Wilson from Texas Tech, Iowa State first round pick Will McDonald IV and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Felix Anudike-Uzomah in a win against Kansas State. He didn't concede a sack against any of them.

The Importance

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers has plenty of intriguing receivers to throw to this season. But Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington and Ja'Tavion Sanders can only get the ball if Banks protects Ewers blind side (Are we still allowed to use this phrase?). Ewers displayed all-conference glimpses in a freshman campaign that was stunted by a shoulder injury. If Banks and the rest of the line do their job, Ewers will get a full season's work.

But Banks will be relied upon to pave run paths for a Texas backfield that has to replace Doak Walker Award winner Bijan Robinson and fellow running back Roschon Johnson. The Longhorns' ranked second in the Big 12 last season allowing jut 4.46 tackles for loss a game, but that's partly because Robinson and Johnson oftentimes bailed out the line breaking tackles in the backfield. The line will need to be crisp at the beginning of the season while Texas tries to develop Jonathan Brooks, Jaydon Blue and five-star freshman Cedric Baxter Jr.

The Outlook

On paper, Texas is the most talented team in the Big 12. Five starters, including Banks, return on the offensive line with plenty of capable backups recruited by Sarkisian. Yes, Robinson and Johnson are massive departures, but Brooks was a former Mr. Texas Football Winner and there's quality depth behind him. The wide receiver room is flat out scary headlined by Worthy, who has 21 touchdown receptions in two years of work. He'll benefit from less defensive focus now that Georgia transfer Adonai Mitchell and Isaiah Neyor, who missed last season with an ACL tear, enter the fold. If Ewers plays to the potential of his former No.1-overall recruit ranking, the Longhorns should take home a conference championship in their last year in the Big 12.

Previous: No. 15 Baylor LB Mike Smith