The 50 most important college players in Texas in 2017 — No. 11: SMU's Courtland Sutton

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 Jefferson / 13 – TexasA&M WR Christian Kirk12 – Houston QB Kyle AllenThe History When Courtland Sutton decided to return to SMU this season instead of entering the NFL draft, he said his goal was to become the best receiver in college football. Heading into 2017, Sutton may already be at that point before he even takes a snap for the Mustangs in September. Sutton led the team with 76 catches for 1,246 yards and 10 touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore last season, routinely serving as a big play threat for the SMU offense. He went for more than 100 yards five times on the year, including a huge 252-yard, two touchdown performance against South Florida late in the season. Sutton also earned First-Team All-American Athletic Conference honors. After taking a medical redshirt in 2014, Sutton quickly emerged as the Mustangs top offensive weapon as a redshirt freshman in 2015. He started in all 12 games and had a team high 49 catches for 862 yards and nine touchdowns, earning freshman all-American honors. Before joining the Mustangs, Sutton was a regarded as a three-star recruit by most recruiting services after starring in both football at basketball at Brenham High School. He was an all-district tight end and safety as a senior and also averaged a double-double on the basketball court in his final season. The Skillset With his size (6-4, 215 lbs.) Sutton is bigger and stronger than just about every opposing player that lines up across from him. He isn’t the fastest player on the field, but has strong hands and is able to come down with 50/50 balls in tight coverage. While Sutton decided not to continue his basketball career this year, he did make a few appearances on the court for the Mustangs as a freshman, which remains a testament to his athleticism. Sutton is a big down-the-field threat and has averaged close to 17 yards per catch in each of the last two seasons. The Impact Whether it’s a must-have third down, a key red-zone situation or a down-the-field bomb, Sutton provides a lot of versatility for the Mustangs offense. But beyond his ability to consistently come up with a big play, Sutton commands constant attention from opposing defenses. If a defense focuses too much on slowing down Sutton, returning starter James Proche (709 yards, six touchdowns) has the ability to breakout as well, which will help ease presumptive starter Ben Hicks into his first full year as the team's quarterback.

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