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 faced 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

No. 1: UTSA quarterback Frank Harris 

The History 

Harris began building his legacy as a San Antonio football star in high school at Clemens. He was a four-year starter at the prep level with multiple all-district selections. His senior season was cut short due to a knee injury – the first of many he’d suffer early in his career. He redshirted in 2017 at UTSA as continued rehab from that injury. He sat out the 2018 season due to a separate knee injury. Harris made his UTSA debut in 2019, starting the first four games before a shoulder injury cost him the rest of the season. 

Jeff Traylor arrived as head coach prior to the 2020 season and inserted Harris back into the starting lineup. This time, Harris’ body finally held up and he made it through the whole season. His legend truly began to grow in 2021 as he led multiple comebacks and helped the Roadrunners secure their first ever conference championship in football. He led the program to a repeat of the Conference USA crown in 2022. Harris holds nearly every quarterback record at UTSA. 

The Importance 

Harris is the only starting quarterback Traylor knows as a collegiate head coach. Getting Harris to run it back for the 2023 campaign – the first in the AAC for UTSA – was a priority for the program and NIL helped secure his return. He’s a great passer, runner, and leader. Harris is the most recognizable face and name in UTSA football history. His return gives the Roadrunners a shot at competing for an AAC championship in year one as a member. Even securing the commitment of Harris back in 2017 was a big deal for a program trying to create momentum on the recruiting trail in San Antonio. Harris’ story allows the UTSA staff to recruit local players with purpose. 

The Outlook 

UTSA is one of the betting favorites in the AAC alongside Tulane. Harris’ return is the major reason why. The Roadrunners are never out of a game with him at the helm. Traylor has said many times throughout the offseason that, “as long as I have my quarterback, I like our chances.” But he almost didn’t. Harris underwent what was supposed to be a routine surgery on his left knee to clean out some scar tissue from previous operations, but that led to an infection. Harris underwent four surgeries on his left knee between the bowl game in December and the end of spring ball in April. He nearly quit football because of it, but a fourth surgery in April eased the pain and allowed Harris back onto the football field for one more ride with his Roadrunners.