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. 38: TEXAS STATE WR JOEY HOBERT 

The history: The California native began his collegiate journey at Washington State where he played in 13 games in 2021, catching his first college touchdown against Oregon State. He transferred to Utah State ahead of the 2022 season and became an FCS All-American after catching 90 passes for 1,258 yards and 16 touchdowns in 11 games. He was ninth in the Walter Payton Award voting. Hobert was a second-team All-Sun Belt selection in his first season at Texas State while registering 76 receptions for 895 yards and eight touchdowns.

The skillset: The man known as “Joe Dirt” would struggle to convince a stranger is a high-level FBS wide receiver. He’s 5-11, 180 pounds and doesn’t possess 4.3 speed. But he’s always open. And he never drops a pass. Hobert is an excellent route runner with plus athleticism. He’s an excellent fit in the Texas State offense because he can move around. He’s best in the slot. He was seventh in the Sun Belt in yards per route run (2.48) and 31st in the nation. He was also 30th in the country in yards after catch with 470. 

The impact: Hobert led the Bobcats in receptions and yards last year and he’ll need another prolific season as Texas State breaks in a new quarterback and replace a couple of the top targets from last season, including Ashtyn Hawkins. Texas State enters the 2024 season with Sun Belt championship aspirations. Hobert will be a preseason all-conference teams and was named the Best Receiver in Texas in the 2024 DCTF summer magazine. He’ll need to be WR1 for the Bobcats to reach those goals.