We all know Texas is synonomous with football. Great gridiron talent abounds in the Lone Star State on the high school, college and professional levels.

But who are the top 10 college football players entering the 2016 football season? Here's our initial offseason Best in Texas poll on the subject, voted on by our college insiders and bloggers, as well as the Denton Record-Chronicle's Brett Vito.

Each insider listed his top 10 players. A first-place vote counted 10 points, second place nine, third place eight and so on.

CLICK HERE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL VOTING AND POINT TOTALS

1. Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett, 76 points (six first-place votes)

Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) sacks Nevada Wolf Pack quarterback Tyler Stewart (15) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports 09202015xPUB (Troy Taormina)

Garrett should be at the top of this list, just as he should hear his name called at the top of next year's NFL draft. One of the top defensive talents in the nation, the Arlington native has dominated offensive linemen during his first two years with the Aggies, and his junior season should be no different. If he isn't in the backfield taking down the quarterback, he's drawing the attention of two or three offensive linemen and creating opportunities for his teammates.

2. Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson, 58 points

Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) rushes the ball while being defended by Texas Longhorns linebacker Malik Jefferson (46) in the second quarter during an NCAA football game between Oklahoma and Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas Saturday October 10, 2015. Texas Longhorns beat Oklahoma Sooners 24-17. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News) (The Dallas Morning News)

Texas sophomore linebacker Malik Jefferson had a breakout season in 2015. Jefferson was the star of the Longhorns defense as a freshman. He was the team's second-leading tackler with 61 total stops. He also recorded 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and a touchdown. The 6-3, 232-pound linebacker came to Texas as a five-star recruit and proved his worth throughout the season. He'll be the team's defensive anchor and leader in 2016.

3. Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes, 55 points

Dec 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes (5) warms up before playing against the LSU Tigers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports (Thomas Shea)

As the lone returning offensive player of the year finalist from last season, Mahomes enters the 2016 season with expectations of another exciting, highlight-filled season with Texas Tech. The junior quarterback will continue approaching several all-time program records next season, including career passing touchdowns and yardage. A repeat 4,000-yard passing season would put Mahomes behind only Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury and former quarterback Graham Harrell, with potentially another season to follow. Another season with at least 30 passing touchdowns moves the Whitehouse native from a tie for sixth place with Robert Hall behind only the two aforementioned quarterbacks. Mahomes accounted for more yards and more touchdowns than any in-state opposition last season leading the Red Raiders to a 7-6 finish.

4. Baylor receiver KD Cannon, 52 points

Nov 5, 2015; Manhattan, KS, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver KD Cannon (9) catches the ball against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. The Bears won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports (Scott Sewell)

Corey Coleman. Terrance Williams. Kendall Wright. Baylor has consistently produced some of the top wide receivers in college football, and Cannon is the next in line. The true junior has posted 108 receptions and 1,898 receiving yards in his first two seasons combined for the Bears. Cannon does not stand out on the football field for his stature, but has the mature route-running ability, elite speed and body control to torch opposing defenses. It is somewhat of a foregone conclusion that he will leave for the NFL after his true junior year.

5. Texas A&M receiver Christian Kirk, 40 points (one first-place vote)

COLLEGE STATION, TX - NOVEMBER 14: Christian Kirk #3 of the Texas A&M Aggies avoids the tackle of Daniel Riddle #58 of the Western Carolina Catamounts for a 22-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter of a NCAA football game at Kyle Field on November 14, 2015 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Eric Christian Smith/Getty Images) (2015 Getty Images)

Kirk was a constant for the A&M offense in a season where quarterbacks seemed to change by the week. He put up over 1,000 yards receiving while returning two punts for touchdowns, all during his freshman campaign. With another year of college conditioning under his belt from strength coach Larry Jackson, Kirk should be ready to go for another season of success.

6. Baylor running back Shock Linwood, 34 points (one first-place vote)

Baylor running back Shock Linwood (32) scores on a 5-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NCAA football game against Oklahoma State at Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, in Stillwater, Okla. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News) (The Dallas Morning News)

Obviously, Baylor's open offense and strong offensive line plays a part in the success of its running backs. However, few running backs nationally have been able to match what Shock Linwood has done the past three seasons. The Linden product has rushed for 3,462 yards over his three-year career, just over 200 yards behind all-time Baylor rushing leader Walter Abercrombie. Though he missed a game and was severely limited the last four games last season, Linwood still rushed for 1,329 yards and improved from 5.0 to 6.8 yards per carry in 2015. The Bears have many mouths to feed at running back next season, but Linwood will still be one of the featured pieces in the Big 12.

7. Baylor quarterback Seth Russell, 32 votes

Baylor Bears quarterback Seth Russell (17) runs the ball during the first quarter of their game against the Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News) (The Dallas Morning News)

Before Russell went out for the season with a fractured vertebra, he was a Heisman contender. In just seven games, the Garland product threw for 2,104 yards and a ridiculous 29 touchdowns. By comparison, former Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty earned All-America honors after throwing for 32 touchdowns in 2013. In fact, Russell finished No. 15 nationally in total touchdowns despite just playing those seven games. Health will be somewhat of a question mark heading into next season. If Russell is healthy, he can potentially be a Heisman contender.

8. Houston quarterback/receiver Greg Ward, 28 points

Houston wide receiver Greg Ward Jr. (1) avoids a tackle by Pitt defensive back Ray Vinopal (9) during to second half of the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl at Amon Carter Stadium in Fort Worth between Houston and Pitt , on Jan 2, 2015. Houston won the game 35-34. (Michael Ainsworth/The Dallas Morning News)

Ward came to Houston as backup quarterback and wide receiver. He's played both positions for the Cougars and done it well. Ward started his sophomore year at WR and caught 15 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown before taking over as the starting QB in UH's final eight games. He completed 177 of 263 passes for 2,010 yards and 12 touchdowns in those eight games and added 573 rushing yards with six touchdowns. As a junior, Ward remained Houston's starter at quarterback. He was named the MVP of the 2015 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game after rushing for 148 yards and two touchdowns. He then helped the Cougars win the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against No. 9 Florida State and was named Offensive Player of the Game.

9. TCU defensive end Josh Carraway, 20 points

SMU quarterback Garrett Krstich (14) is sacked by TCU defensive end Josh Carraway (94) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Carraway started all 13 games for TCU, recording 47 tackles (11.5 tackles for loss) and nine sacks. He recovered three fumbles, broke up two passes and forced a fumble. He had a 56-yard fumble return against Baylor on Nov. 27 for a touchdown, the second touchdown of his career. Carraway later had a sack and forced a fumble after Baylor drove to the TCU 19 in the fourth quarter. He had four tackles, including a sack, in the Valero Alamo Bowl win over Oregon.

10. TCU receiver KaVontae Turpin, 7 points

TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (25) makes a touchdown during the first quarter of the TCU and SMU Battle for the Iron Skillet football game at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Sept. 19, 2015. (Rose Baca/The Dallas Morning News) (Rose Baca, The Dallas Morning News)

Turpin exploded in his freshman season in Fort Worth, emerging as one of the most dynamic players in the TCU offense. He was a slippery slot receiver and capable of breaking off a big play. He was also a useful weapon in the rushing attack, being utilized as a key component of TCU's sweeps and trick plays. Then he was also used in kick and punt return situations, a role he will play again this season.