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Conference USA's 13 most important players in 2016

Taylor caught 86 passes for 1,467 yards last year, tops in Conference USA and third in the FBS. His 17 TD catches was second nationally.

The 6-foot-1, 252-pound senior led the team with nine sacks, second best in Conference USA. He'll anchor the Herd's pass rush along with sophomore Ryan Bee (8.5 TFLs, four sacks).

Coach Rick Stockstill's son was the only freshman in the country to throw for 4,000 yards, and his 77.7 QBR was the nation's 19th best. He threw 30 TDs to 9 INTs and had 66 completions for 20 or more yards.