Texas: 25 Top Student-Athletes to Watch in 2015-16

In 2001, no one from the SEC or 5th ranked Texas worried about 6-6 TCU of Conference USA. On New Years’ Eve, an SEC defense that had beaten Alabama 23-17 keyed on the fastest player in the country, TCU’s Kolby Listenbee, only to have him throw a touchdown pass to begin a 42-3 route in the same place where the SEC plays its championship game.

We ran the Value Add Sports calculations on all returning Texas athletes and emailed 162 sports writers and other experts in the state to help rank the 20 players to watch on a list we will update here.

TCU’s quarterback Trevone Boykin is the best football player in the state, but when you combine Listenbee’s ability as a receiver with his 10.04 100-yard dash, the slight edge for top overall student-athlete goes to the two-sport star. In practiice, Listenbee still may not be able to outrun cornerback Cameron Echols-Luper, who has the fastest 200-yard dash time at 20.39. The three all rank among the top five athletes in Texas, and are some of the reasons TCU ranks right with Ohio State and Alabama at the top of the football world.

Basketball star Shawn Johnson returns after playing very well in Incarnate Word’s first D1 season upset at Nebraska and near-upset at Stephen F. Austin. Add track star Jamarkese Williams, and the Lone Star state has yet another great athletic department to go along with a host of nationally-renowned programs: Baylor, Houston, North Texas, Sam Houston State, SMU, Stephen F. Austin, TAMUK, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas A&M at Kingsville, Texas El Paso, Texas State and Texas Tech.

Which of the great programs produced the greatest athlete in the history of the state? Try North Texas with Mean Joe Greene.

Top 25 Texas Athletes to Watch in 2015-16

1. Kolby Listenbee, TCU, track/football
2. Trevone Boykin, TCU Horned Frogs, Foot, QB
3. Thomas Walkup, Stephen F. Austin, Basket, SF
4. Jeron Robinson, TAMUK, highjump,
5. Cameron Echols-Luper, TCU, Foot/Track,
6. Rico Gathers, Baylor, Basket, C
7. Shamier Little, A&M, 400hurdles
8. Shawn Oakman, Baylor, Football, DE
9. McKayla Paulson, Texas A&M, Soccer, Defender
10. Angelica Thompson, Houston, Track/Field, DecathlonMen
11. KD Cannon, Baylor, Foot/Track
12. Taurean Prince, Baylor, Basket, PF
13. Trayvon Bromell, Baylor, track
14. Claire Oates, SMU, Soccer, Midfielder
15. Troy Taylor, North Texas, Track/Field, 1,500m RunMen
16. Mikaela Harvey, Texas A&M, Soccer, Midfielder
17. Jordan Grady, Sam Houston St., Track/Field, 400m DashMen
18. Ty Charles, Stephen F. Austin, Basket, PF
19. Olivia Brook, Texas, Soccer, Forward
20. Kendall Baisen, Texas, 400m
21. Leshon Collins, Houston, Track/Field, 200m DashMen
22. Nick Banks, TexasA&M, Baseball, OF
23. TaShawn Thomas, Houston, Basket, PF
24. Cassie Conarty, Texas Tech, Soccer, Defender
25. Stephanie Malherbe, Texas A&M, Soccer, Midfielder

Other Receiving Votes – Alphabetical
Anthony Johnson, Texas State, Track/Field, 200m DashMen
Bria Carter, Houston, Track/Field, 100m DashMen
Dominic Artis, Texas El Paso, Basket, PG
Isaiah Taylor, Texas, Basket, PG
Jamarkese Williams, UIW, CB/200m,HJ,LJ,
James Hilliard, Texas State, Track/Field, 400m Intermediate HuMen
Kenrich Williams, Texas Christian, Basket, SF
Kristine Hanks, Sam Houston St., Track/Field, Shot PutMen
Nic Moore, Southern Methodist, Basket, PG
P.J. Hall, DE, SamHoustonState,
Precious Akanyirige, Baylor, Soccer, Defender
Ryan Williams, TCU, Soccer, Forward