The 50 most important college players in Texas in 2017 — No. 13: Texas A&M's Christian Kirk

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 / 23 – Texas Tech OL Travis Bruffy / 22 – Rice LB Emmanuel Ellerbee21 – UNT DT Bryce English / 20 – TCU LB Ty Summers / 19 – UTEP LB Alvin Jones18 – The Baylor QB / 17 – UTSA LB Josiah Tauaefa / 16 – Texas A&M OL Koda Martin15 – Texas Tech QB Nic Shimonek / 14 – Texas LB Malik JeffersonThe History When Christian Kirk arrived on campus in College Station, he was expected to make an immediate impact on the field for the Aggies. After earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors in 2015, it’s safe to say he exceeded the already lofty expectations laid out before him. Kirk led the team with 80 receptions, 1,009 receiving yards and nine total touchdowns, and he set the Texas A&M freshman record for all-purpose yards with 1,789. He went on to put up similar numbers as a sophomore last season, finishing with 928 yards receiving, 1,418 all-purpose yards and 12 total touchdowns. Despite the Aggies' struggles down the stretch, Kirk provided a consistent weapon both through the air and in the return game. Before lighting up Kyle Field, Kirk was a five-star recruit out of Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he was named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior. Kirk put up impressive numbers in high school, finishing with more than 3,000 all-purpose yards in his final season. The Skillset Kirk is a threat to take the ball the distance just about anytime it’s in his hands, and that became even clearer after his sophomore year. He has consistently improved as a route runner and has both the speed and quickness to create space and pick up extra yardage after the catch. While he has been the Aggies’ most reliable target in the passing game, Kirk has also proven himself as one of college football’s elite return men as well. With five return touchdowns in two years, Kirk extends his impact well into the special teams phase of the game. The Impact Kirk has been one of the most explosive parts of the Aggies’ offense for the last two years, but his success is even more important this season. Not only does A&M have another new starting quarterback taking the reigns, but the Aggies also lose three of their four top receivers. Josh Reynolds, Ricky Seals-Jones and Speedy Noil combined to catch 108 passes for 1,697 yards and 15 touchdowns. Kirk is the only returner who had more than 100 yards receiving last year, so his leadership and his performance will be crucial to the success of the Aggies’ receiving corps. Throw in his ability to do significant damage on special teams, and Kirk has cemented himself as one of the state’s most important players.

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