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. 43: Baylor RB Richard Reese 

The history: When we compiled this list before last season, Richard Reese checked in at No.4. The Bellville product set a Baylor record with 972 rushing yards and earned Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2022. He was going to be Baylor's bell cow. Instead, he finished fourth on the team in rushing attempts, ceding playing time to Oklahoma State transfer Dominic Richardson and freshman Dawson Pendergrass. After two seasons on opposite ends of the spectrum, it's time to ask: Who is Richard Reese?

The skillset: Reese can be the lightning to Richardson and Pendergrass's thunder, as evidenced by his two kickoff return touchdowns in the season finale against West Virginia.  At Big 12 Media Days, redshirt sophomore linebacker Keaton Thomas said Reese was the toughest person to guard on the team, signaling the running back may have an increased role in the passing game under new offensive coordinator Jake Spavital.

The impact: After the disappointing sophomore campaign, Reese's appearance at the Big 12 Media Days was a testament to his tremendous offseason. Baylor's backfield is too crowded for Reese to emerge as a bell cow, but he can still be a game changer as a change of pace back. Spavital's offenses get skill players out in space, where Reese should thrive.