The 2024 college football season presents an entirely new landscape. Texas is in the SEC. SMU is back in a power conference as ACC members. The College Football Playoff now includes 12 teams and an automatic bid for the best G5 team in the land. For most, the start of the season is in Week 1 on August 30, though SMU starts in Week 0 and TCU plays its first game on Aug. 29. 

To celebrate us making it through another off-season, we’re counting down the 50 most important players in Texas as we inch closer to kickoffs. This list isn’t necessarily about which players are the best in terms of NFL draft stock. It ranks players in order of importance to their team's success. 

No. 13: UTEP BANDIT Maurice Westmoreland

The History: Westmoreland was a two-time JUCO All-American at Kilgore College before transferring to UTEP ahead of the 2022 season. He was an instant contributor as a sophomore but didn't break out until his junior season in 2023. Westmoreland was a First Team All-Conference USA selection who ranked second in the conference with 7.5 sacks. Westmoreland returning for the 2024 season was perhaps the biggest win of Scotty Walden's first offseason in El Paso.

The Skillset: As UTEP defensive coordinator J.J. Clark watched the 2024 NFL Draft, he couldn't help envisioning Westmoreland's name being called next year. But the new 3-3-5 scheme will shift Westmoreland's role from the true defensive end he played last season.

I find Westmoreland's situation similar to North Texas edge rusher Mazin Richards from last year. North Texas shifted Richards to a 5-technique in the 3-3-5, and his sack numbers fell. From my magazine visit, I predict Westmoreland will play more stand-up outside linebacker. Wide receiver Trey Goodman described Westmoreland making a one-handed interception that dropped his jaw in spring practice.

“He’s a transcendent talent," Clark said. "For us, finding ways to be as creative with him as we can and get him around the football, get him as many different pathways to rush the quarterback, his role will be more multiple.”

The Impact: Going into the season, Westmoreland is the best player on UTEP's defense by a wide margin. If the staff can scheme ways to get him one-on-one battles to rush the passer, he can create havoc. He'll need to prove himself is pass coverage, because he doesn't have the size to play in a three-point stance head-up on the tackle.