The 50 most important college players in Texas in 2016 — No. 47: Houston's B.J. Singleton

[caption id="attachment_23024" align="alignnone" width="800"] Photo by Diana Porter[/caption] The importance of a player is not always defined by their skill. The most important player on a team is not always the best player on a team. This list is designed to breakdown the 50 most important players in Texas college football for the 2016 season. It is not a ranking of the 50 best college football players in the state. Importance can be defined by position, need, skill or leadership. We’ll count down the list through the summer, all the way to No. 1.Previously — 48: Texas A&M DT Daylon Mack // 49: TCU S Denzel Johnson  // 50: Baylor S Chance WazNo. 47: Houston defensive tackle B.J. SingletonThe History Singleton enters his senior year at Houston as the anchor of an improving defense under second-year head coach Tom Herman. Singletary, originally from Louisiana, was a three-star prospect coming out of high school, according to all major recruiting services. He redshirted in 2012 before joining the Cougars defensive tackle rotation in 2013. He played in all 13 games, recording nine tackles. He played in all 13 games again as a sophomore, earning 11 starts. His production improved, racking up 22 tackles and a sack in 2014. Singleton entered his junior season with all-conference aspirations and he reached those heights without staggering statistics. His role is bigger than what is reflected in a box score. He was second-team All-AAC as a junior. He finished the season with 20 tackles and a sack, starting all 13 games for Houston in a 12-1 season. The Skillset Singleton was an all-district basketball and football player in high school. His athleticism for a 6-foot-4, 315-pound man is rare. His role inside the Houston defense is to plug the running games and keep offensive linemen off of linebackers. He does this with a violent balance of quick hands, consistent feet and a low center of gravity. Singleton isn’t the type of defensive tackle asked to penetrate the three-gap and disrupt the passing game. He takes on interior offensive linemen to make the game easier for the rest of the Cougars defense. His durability is also a skill. The interior of the defensive line is a dangerous place and Singleton proved his first three years that he can stay healthy. He enters the season with over 35 games played and 23 starts. The Impact Houston made waves in recruiting by signing all-state defensive tackle Ed Oliver. Singleton is a perfect match on the interior for Oliver. He can help the young star in his development and allow him 1-on-1 blocking when paired in the middle. Houston opens the season against Oklahoma, a team sporting a very strong running game. Singleton’s ability to take up blogs and clog lanes was on display against Florida State in last season’s bowl game. Singleton makes everyone’s job easier on defense. The linebackers don’t deal with as much traffic in the run game and he opens up defensive ends against the pass. He’ll need to be an All-AAC player for Houston to entertain thoughts of an undefeated season, a conference championship and a shot at a College Football Playoff berth. The Cougars should score points. It’ll be up to the defense to win a few games, and it all starts up front with Singleton.

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