The 2025 college football season starts in Texas on Aug. 23, when Sam Houston travels to Western Kentucky in a Week Zero Conference USA clash between a pair of contenders from 2024. The other 12 FBS programs in the Lone Star State kickoff their respective seasons a week later. 

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football compiled a list of the 50 best players in the state and will use it to countdown the days until the start of the season. The list continues with 30-21 as we’re officially 40 days away from Week Zero. Rankings of 20-11 will be released with 20 days remaining until Week Zero, and so on. 

Previous: 50-41 | 40-31

No. 30 – TCU WR Eric McAlister 

The former Boise State transfer could be one of the breakout stars in the Big 12 this season, his second at TCU. Last year, the 6-3, 205-pounder from Azle was a big-play weapon, leading the nation with 89.7% of his 39 receptions resulting in first downs. His 19.5 yards per catch was sixth-most in the Power Four. He was second on the team in receiving yards (762) and third in touchdowns (5) despite finishing fourth in receptions. He’ll see an increased role in 2025 as WR1 because TCU lost Savion Williams and Jack Bech to the NFL. 

No. 29 – TCU LB Namdi Obiazor 

A former safety who transitioned to linebacker after transferring to TCU from Iowa Western Community College ahead of the 2022 season. Obiazor led TCU in tackles in 2023 and was second on the team in stops last season. He’s credited with 165 tackles over the last two seasons with 12.5 tackles for loss. Obiazor has started the last 25 games for the Frogs and is the leader of the second level. 

No. 28 – Texas A&M DT Albert Regis 

Regis started all 13 games last season for the Wrecking Crew and was an unsung hero in the trenches because he was surrounded by three NFL players – Nic Scourton, Shemar Stewart, and Shemar Turner. Regis won’t dominate the stat sheet because one of his main objectives is to occupy multiple blockers to allow Texas A&M linebackers like Taurean York to prowl the second level unimpeded. Regis is arguably the most established defensive tackle in Texas heading into 2025. 

No. 27 – Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion 

The Aggies believe the passing game will improve in 2025 as Marcel Reed evolves as a full-time starter and the talent around him was improved through the transfer portal. The biggest addition was Concepcion, a junior who totaled 124 catches for 1,299 yards and 16 touchdowns over two seasons at North Carolina State. He was a Freshman All-American after setting records at NC State with 71 catches for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first year in college. He’s not the biggest at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, but he’ll be WR1 for Texas A&M in 2025. 

No. 26 – Texas WR DeAndre Moore 

Moore is underrated outside of Austin as he was overshadowed by NFL draft pick Matthew Golden last season and is usually mentioned after super sophomore Ryan Wingo heading into 2025. But we think he’s one of the best players in the state. He’s started nine times over 25 games during his career and typically comes up with big catches in large moments. Moore caught 39 passes for 456 yards and seven touchdowns last year. 

No. 25 – Houston RB Dean Connors 

Connors is a transfer from Rice who should provide playmaking ability as a runner, receiver, and returner in his first year at Houston. He was the only FBS player with over 700 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons and one of only five FBS players to accomplish that feat twice in the last 10 years. Over the last three seasons with the Owls, Connors racked up 1,679 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground while catching 113 passes for 912 yards and six scores. 

No. 24 – Texas OG DJ Campbell 

The former five-star prospect from Arlington Bowie is the lone returning starter for the Horns along the offensive line. He’s started 30 times over 37 games in his three years on the Forty Acres. He is one of the top right guards in college football and will be an NFL draft pick in 2026. The 6-foot-3, 321-pound Campbell is a bully in the trenches and a tone-setter for the Texas offense. He’ll need to be a leader in 2025. 

No. 23 – Baylor WR Josh Cameron 

Cameron is a former walk-on from Cedar Park who has emerged as one of the most reliable pass catchers in the Big 12. He started all 13 games last year and ended the season with team highs in catches (52), yards (754) and touchdowns (10). He also averaged 20.7 yards on 14 punt returns. Cameron started seven times in 2023 and four times in 2022. Wide receivers rarely get credit for this, but he’s also one of the top run blockers at the position in college football. 

No. 22 – Texas Tech DE David Bailey 

Bailey was one of the top additions in Texas Tech’s star-studded transfer class. He joined the team halfway through spring ball when Stanford underwent a late change at head coach. Bailey is considered one of the top edge rushers in college football and could be a first- or second-round draft pick in 2026. He’s started 16 times in 33 appearances and arrives in Lubbock with 14.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss in his career. 

No. 21 – SMU DB Isaiah Nwokobia 

The Dallas Skyline product is the leader of the SMU secondary and maybe the best player on the Mustangs’ defense heading into 2025. He was one of two SMU defenders to record over 100 tackles last year. He also added three interceptions and six pass breakups. Nwokobia has 29 starts in four seasons with the Ponies, missing most of 2022 with an injury. SMU lost a lot of production on the defensive side of the ball after 2024 but Nwokobia is a known commodity at safety in a secondary that should be the strength of the defense.