The 50 most important college players in Texas in 2017 — No. 24: TCU's Travin Howard

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 Loyd / 34 – Texas State WR Thurman Morbley33 – Houston DB Khalil Williams / 32 – Texas Tech LB Jordyn Brooks / 31 – SFA DL John Franklin30 – SMU DE Justin Lawler / 29 – Texas State QB Damian Williams / 28 – ACU QB Dallas Sealey27 – UTSA QB Dalton Sturm / 26 – Texas A&M RB Trayveon Williams / 25 – UTSA WR Josh StewartThe History Travin Howard has developed into one of the best linebackers in the country over the last few seasons and heads into his senior year as the unquestioned leader of the TCU defensive unit. But he wasn’t always well known, and he hasn’t always played linebacker. Howard began his career as a backup strong safety for the Horned Frogs in 2014, where he got limited playing time throughout the year. A switch to linebacker in the off-season paid off for both Howard and TCU, as he went on to make 11 starts while leading the team in tackles with 105. Howard made another significant jump as a junior, starting all 13 games while leading both TCU and the entire Big 12 with 130 tackles. That number also ranked in the top 10 in the country, and Howard became the first TCU player in more than a decade to record back-to-back 100-tackle seasons. Coming out of Longview High School, Howard chose TCU over UTSA after a stellar senior year. He was one of the top safeties in the state after recording 89 tackles, 10 TFL, and eight interceptions while also scoring four defensive touchdowns. The Skillset Howard’s ability to switch from safety to linebacker and excel at the position demonstrates the versatility he brings to Gary Patterson’s defensive unit. He flies all over the field and has a motor that doesn’t stop running. As a reliable and consistent linebacker, Howard holds the Horned Frogs defense together. With the ability to play safety as well, Howard can effectively drop into pass coverage in addition to playing well around the line of scrimmage. The Impact Howard combines with Ty Summers to give TCU one of the most formidable linebacker corps in the Big 12. Defense has always been important to Patterson and the Horned Frogs, and Howard will again be a leader while providing valuable experience to the front seven. That experience will be even more important this year as TCU has to replace both Josh Carraway and Aaron Curry on the defensive line. More pressure will be placed on the linebackers to pick up the slack, and Howard should thrive in that role as the Horned Frogs look to bounce back from a 6-7 season.

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