The 2024 college football season presents an entirely new landscape. Texas is in the SEC. SMU is back in a power conference as ACC members. The College Football Playoff now includes 12 teams and an automatic bid for the best G5 team in the land. For most, the start of the season is in Week 1 on August 30, though SMU starts in Week 0 and TCU plays its first game on Aug. 29. 

To celebrate us making it through another off-season, we’re counting down the 50 most important players in Texas as we inch closer to kickoffs. This list isn’t necessarily about which players are the best in terms of NFL draft stock. It ranks players in order of importance to their team's success.

NO. 45: Texas A&M WR Noah Thomas

The history: Thomas was the No. 44-ranked player in the DCTF Hot 100 out of Clear Springs, part of Texas A&M's No. 1-ranked 2022 recruiting class. Whereas a horde of that class transferred, Thomas carved a role as a No. 2 wide receiver and has played in 22 games with 12 starts over two seaons. He caught three touchdown passes in the first half of the 2023 season opener against New Mexico, the first Texas A&M receiver to accomplish that feat since Mike Evans in 2013. Thomas hasn't matched Evans's numbers for an entire year, yet, catching 29 passes for 359 yards.

The skillset: Thomas brings a unique catch radius with a 6-foot-6-inch frame and is both a red zone and deep play threat. Paired with 6'4 wide receiver Jahdae Walker and tight end Donovan Green, Texas A&M has length that will be difficult for opposing defenses to match. 

The impact: Thomas served as an outside receiver for Jimbo Fisher, but he lined up in the slot in his debut in offensive coordinator Collin Klein's offense and balled out. Thomas caught seven passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns. 

Texas A&M lost Troy transfer Jabre Barber in the spring and his status is uncertain for 2024. Barber was set to take over slot duties. Thomas, a former 400M sprinter in high school, could be a dangerous receiver over the middle, especially if defenses also have to account for tight end Green.