The 50 most important college players in Texas in 2017 — No. 34: Texas State's Thurman Morbley

The importance of a player is not always defined by their skill level. The most important player on a team or in a unit 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 2017 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:50 – Lamar DE Daniel Crosley / 49 – TCU WR KaVontae Turpin / 48 – UTEP QB Ryan Metz47 – UMHB RB Markeith Miller / 46 – Sam Houston State DE PJ Hall / 45 – Baylor WR Blake Lynch44 – Texas Tech WR Jonathan Giles (transferred) / 43 – Texas Tech RB Justin Stockton42 – PVAMU WR Joshua Simmons / 41 – Rice RB Samuel Stewart / 40 – UNT WR Jalen Guyton39 – Texas RB Chris Warren / 38 – Rice OL Trey Martin / 37 – Texas A&M Commerce QB Luis Perez36 – Baylor DL K.J. Smith / 35 – Texas State LB Gabe LoydThe History [caption id="attachment_30264" align="alignright" width="200"] Texas State Athletics Photo[/caption] When Thurman Morbley committed to Texas State, he became one of the first to do so under Everett Withers, just a few days after the first-year head coach was hired last January. With all of the turmoil and turnover the wide receiving corps in San Marcos went through prior to last season, Morbley filled an important role for the Bobcats. He finished the year as the team’s second leading receiver after catching 35 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns as a true freshman. Morbley, who was an explosive receiver for Liberty-Eylau, had offers from both Houston and Stephen F. Austin as well. He had 1,215 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior, helping the Leopards advance all the way to the regional finals in 2015 before the run ended in a 32-29 loss to Argyle. The Skillset Morbley isn’t a big receiver at 5-11, 180 lbs. but he is a reliable weapon for Texas State. He showed big play ability at Liberty-Eylau and should get more opportunities in the Bobcats’ offensive attack this season as a sophomore. Morbley also got a few looks as a kick returner last year – finishing with the team’s longest return at 43 yards – and should see that role increase as well with the departure of Brandon McDowell. The Impact The Bobcats were not very productive on either side of the ball last year and averaged less than 19 points per game. While those numbers were down from 2015, it was expected that the team would be heading into a rebuilding stage early in Withers’ tenure. With quarterback Tyler Jones gone, the Bobcats are going to have to some guys step up on offense in order to take a step or two forward this season. After showing the ability to carve out a significant role as a true freshman, Morbley will be looked to – and relied on – for a big sophomore year.

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