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. 2: SMU DL Elijah Roberts 

The history: Roberts was a four-star recruit and a Top 50 player in Florida as a prep prospect at Columbus High School, which he led to a Class 8A state championship in 2019. He arrived at Miami as a freshman in 2020, playing in five games. He played in seven as a sophomore in 2021 and eight in 2022, including one start. He left the Hurricanes after 2022 with 21 tackles and 1.5 sacks. 

Roberts quickly became a staple for the Mustangs at defensive end. He started all 14 games and finished the year with 37 tackles and a team-high 10 sacks. He also forced two fumbles and was named an All-ACC Second Team selection after the season. 

The skillset: The 6-4, 295-pound Roberts is a hybrid defensive end with the body type to play both three-technique and on the edge. He excels as an edge player in the Mustang defense. Roberts is strong at the point of attack and a good finisher when he reaches the quarterback. He’s a true three-down defensive lineman because of his strength against the run. His four-star profile came to life in the AAC. He’s hoping to prove doubters wrong in his return to the ACC. 

The impact: SMU needs players such as Roberts to remain all-conference caliber players in the move from G5 to P4. Competing along the lines of scrimmage is the key for the team to reach a bowl game and Roberts is the team’s best defensive lineman. If he can remain a demon off the edge that requires double teams or help from a tight end and/or running back, that allow the other Mustangs to feast. Stopping the run is another key for the Ponies and he’ll need to hold the point of attack on the edge. SMU can’t win eight or nine games without a stout defense and Roberts must lead the way.