The 50 most important college players in Texas in 2017 — No. 22: Rice's Emmanuel Ellerbee

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 Stewart24 – TCU LB Travin Howard / 22 – Texas Tech OL Travis BruffyThe History Emmanuel Ellerbee wasn’t a real impact player in his first two years at Rice, but he took advantage of every opportunity as a full-time starter for the first time last season. After finishing second in Conference USA with 118 tackles, Ellerbee quickly emerged as a reliable anchor in the middle of the defense for the Owls. He was a first-team All-CUSA selection and was one of the lone bright spots on a defense that gave up an average of more than 37 points per game. Before earning his starting role, Ellerbee saw some action as a reserve in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Prior to joining the Owls, he was one of the top recruits in the Houston area after a standout career at Strake Jesuit, where racked up 236 tackles and five sacks in two seasons for the Crusaders. The Skillset Ellerbee was one of the few consistent pieces on the Owls’ defensive unit last season. He had seven double-digit tackle games last year and led the conference in tackles per game (10.7). Ellerbee has the size (6-1, 235 lbs.) and strength to succeed at the second-level and is starting to grow as a leader. He was one of only two players in the conference to earn first-team honors on the field while also being an Academic All-CUSA selection. The Impact The Owls return the majority of their defensive starters heading into the fall, but will be without linebacker Alex Lyons. The loss of Lyons will put even more pressure on Ellerbee as Rice transitions to a new scheme under incoming defensive coordinator Brian Stewart. Ellerbee will have to step up as a senior to help the Owls show some improvement defensively. Ellerbee thrived alongside Lyons, but will now take over as the sole leader of the defense in 2017 as the Owls look to bounce back.

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