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. 12: SAM HOUSTON LB KAVIAN GAITHER 

The history: Gaither was a four-year starter at Waco Connally who earned 2021 Super CenTex Athlete of the Year by the Waco Tribune Harold in 2021 for exploits as a defensive back. He played 12 games at safety as a freshman at Sam Houston in 2021, finishing the season with 19 tackles and an interception. Gaither appeared nine times in 2022 and was awarded WAC Defensive Player of the Year after recording 79 tackles, including 12 for loss and three sacks. He also forced two fumbles and had an interception after transitioning to linebacker. He registered 72 tackles in 10 games last season. 

The skillset: The 6-foot, 215-pound Gaither is an undersized linebacker who relies on athleticism to avoid blocks and chase down ball carriers. He’s excellent in space as a tackler and cover linebacker thanks to his history as an All-State defensive back in high school and as a true freshman for the Bearkats. Gaither is an experienced leader who should command the unit from the second level as a senior with 31 games played in college.

The impact: The Bearkats lost their leading tackler from last year as Trevor Williams ran out of eligibility after the season. Gaither should climb into that chair in 2024, as he did in 2022 when Williams only played four games to reserve eligibility for the FBS season of 2023. All Gaither did with his opportunity in 2022 was earn WAC Defensive Player of the Year. The second level of the Kats’ defense is in good hands. Gaither should be as productive as Williams was in the middle of the unit.