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. 32: UTSA WR DEVIN McCUIN  

The history: McCuin was a two-way star at Jacksonville High School located in East Texas. He excelled at wide receiver and safety, earning first-team all-district nods at both. He was a Texas Top 300 recruit by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football before committing to UTSA in the 2023 class. McCuin was an instant impact performer for the Roadrunners, starting seven times in 12 appearances while catching 42 passes for 546 yards and three touchdowns. He was the DCTF Offensive Freshman of the Year. 

The skillset: Quick. Speedy. Elusive. Pick your adjective. McCuin can flat go. The 6-0, 185-pound wide out can play outside or in the slot. His ability to deal with bump coverage should only improve as he gains strength. McCuin is a solid route runner with reliable hands. His best attribute might be after the catch. 

The impact: UTSA must replace the production lost by Joshua Cephus and McCuin feels like the natural replacement. The two have similar body types and playing styles. McCuin is even quicker, though. The Roadrunners have been spoiled at the wide receiver position. McCuin headlines a new generation of wide outs that includes Willie McCoy and David Amador II. That receiving core will help ease UTSA’s transition into a new quarterback after Frank Harris’ graduation.