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

To celebrate making it through another offseason, we’re counting down the 50 most important players in Texas as we slowly approach kickoff. This list isn’t necessarily about which players are the best in terms of NFL Draft stock; it ranks players based on their importance to their team’s success.

#1: TEXAS TECH RB Tahj Brooks

The story: In a different era, Tahj Brooks is a mid- to late-round NFL draft pick currently fighting for a roster spot. With NIL, he’s a fifth-year senior chasing Texas Tech history. Brooks needs 1,167 rushing yards to break the program’s rushing record set by Byron Hanspard from 1994-96. He’s also 196 carries short of Texas Tech’s Ricky Williams’ career rushing record. If Brooks repeats his 2023 performance (290 carries, 1,538 yards), he’ll be the best running back in program history.

The skillset: Brooks is 5’10” and weighs 230 pounds. He is a bruiser who wears down opponents as the game progresses. He has excellent game reading and balance, which allowed him to average 5.3 yards per carry last season. Although he is a capable receiver out of the backfield, he is valued more as a blocker on pass plays.

The effects: Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire will tell anyone within earshot: Brooks is aiming for the rushing record and will be a focal point in the Red Raiders’ offense. Texas Tech is known for the Air Raid, but expect Brooks to carry the ball more often than any other running back in the Big 12. Tech’s wide receiver group is the strongest of the McGuire era, so Brooks shouldn’t face too many stacked boxes.