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EA Sports College Football 25 was officially released on July 19, 2024, which has sent fans into a tizzy on social media. Some of the rankings were quite obvious — while others were utterly shocking, to say the least. In this piece, we break down each of the Top 25 athletes ranked by EA Sports.
25. RB Jaydn Ott (Cal)
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ACC fans are in for a treat. Pac-12 fans saw Jaydn Ott’s immense skill for two years, and now the East Coast will see Ott become a national star. Playing for the Cal Golden Bears, Ott averaged 5.3 YPC in 2023 en route to a 1,305-yard season. Ott rushed for 188 yards and two touchdowns in Cal’s opener, torched Arizona State for 165 yards, embarrassed USC with a 153-yard, three-TD effort, and rushed for 166 and 167 yards, respectively in back-to-back games in November. Ott hits the hole hard and routinely leaves defenders in the dust due to his quick acceleration. Cal may be an average team, but Ott is a legit prospect.
24. LT Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota)
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Only two offensive linemen have a higher overall than Minnesota’s Aireontae Ersery. Given a 93 Overall rating, Ersery is the centerpiece of an experienced line. Ersery is a star at left tackle and is paramount to Minnesota’s success. Not only does Ersery boost the run game — something that fits coach P.J. Fleck’s M.O. — but he will be tasked with protecting QB Max Brosmer’s (a New Hampshire transfer) blindside.
23. RB TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
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Ohio State has elite talent littered throughout its roster. TreVeyon Henderson is a 93 Overall in College Football 25 and he is not even the highest-ranked running back on his team (more on that later). Henderson put together a stellar freshman campaign in 2021 (1,248 yards and 15 TD) but hasn’t quite matched that production the past two seasons. Last year, Henderson found the end zone in all but two games and topped 100 yards on four occasions. He will be a huge part of Ohio State’s offense in ’24, but it remains to be seen how the Buckeyes will split carries in the backfield.
22. HB Omarion Hampton (North Carolina)
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With Drake Maye now in the NFL, Omarion Hampton should become a household name across America. North Carolina’s star was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award in 2023 after rushing for 1,504 yards and 15 TD. Hampton is capable of taking a handoff to the house at any moment. Last year, he rushed for 110+ yards seven times — including a 234-yard performance in Week 2 and a 197-yard effort against Miami. Impressively, Hampton only fumbled twice all season. Hampton wasn’t much of a threat in the passing game but he may see more targets this season.
21. RE Deone Walker (Kentucky)
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Kentucky is often thought of as a basketball school, but the football program has churned out some good prospects in recent years and Deone Walker figures to be next in line. Walker was the main cog of Kentucky’s defensive line last year — one that was second in the SEC against the run in 2023. A mammoth of a man at 6-foot-6 and nearly 350 pounds, Walker registered 7.5 sacks for the Wildcats last season. His quick twitch ability may not be elite, but he will bulldoze offensive linemen with his strength and cause massive problems for opposing teams throughout the season.
20. LB Mykel Williams (Georgia)
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While Carson Beck will garner a ton of attention and likely contend for the Heisman Trophy if he remains healthy, Mykel Williams is arguably Georgia’s best player. Williams is a versatile defender who is only just scratching the surface of his potential. The 6-foot-5 edge rusher played more snaps at DT than DE last season — and also spent time at outside linebacker. Williams is strong against the run and he will have a chance to showcase his elite potential in 2024 as he transitions into a full-time OLB role.
19. WR Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)
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Ohio State has a surplus of offensive talent and seemingly produces top receivers yearly. Emeka Egbuka is the fourth-ranked WR in College Football 25. In 2022, Egbuka hauled in 74 catches for over 1,100 yards and 10 TD. His production dropped tremendously last season (41/515/4) but he stands to be a focal point of Ohio State’s offense this season. Egbuka possesses good burst and he excels at winning 50-50 balls. An overall rating of 93 seems fair.
18. QB Carson Beck (Georgia)
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A former four-star recruit, Carson Beck is set to enter his second season as Georgia’s starting quarterback. Last year, Beck led Georgia to a 13-1 record — with its lone loss being a three-point defeat to Alabama. The 6-foot-4 passer completed over 72-percent of his attempts and finished the season with 3,941 yards, 24 TD and six INT. Beck has the luxury of playing for arguably the most talented team in the country, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a star elsewhere. Beck gets rid of the ball quickly and is a good processor. With another solid season, Beck could put himself in play to be the No. 1 pick.
17. QB Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
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Deion’s son is more than just a name. The younger Sanders can ball — evidenced by his first year facing high D1 competition on a weekly basis. Sanders has beautiful touch on his throws. Despite playing behind arguably the worst offensive line in the country, Sanders never seemed rattled by the pressure he invariably faced. He’d calmly stand in the pocket and deliver the ball with velocity and accuracy. Simply put, Sanders has all of the tools necessary to be a future NFL star.
16. LB Jay Higgins (Iowa)
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A list of elite defenders wouldn’t exist without one hailing from the University of Iowa. Higgins exploded onto the scene this past season. He accrued a whopping 171 tackles for the Hawkeyes. Higgins has a nose for the ball simply unmatched in the current collegiate game. He’s terrific at shedding blocks, and as such is highly potent in corralling ball carriers.
15. LB Barrett Carter (Clemson)
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A highly-touted player coming out of the prep ranks, Carter has established himself as one of the best outside linebackers nationally. He notched 9.5 TFLs this past year. Active off the edge, Carter’s above-average quickness enables him to live in opposing backfields. He spurned overtures from the NFL in order to spend one last year in college. We could foresee a scenario where he becomes a top-10 pick in 2025.
14. WR Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona)
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The man they call T-Mac spurned a host of major programs in order to sign with Arizona. At 6-foot-4, few in College Football possess McMillan’s ability to high point a football. He’s excellent at tracking the ball in the air. Even more so, McMillan is tough as nails. He’s not bashful about going over the middle of the field for a difficult catch in traffic. McMillan’s chemistry with starting QB Noah Fifita gives the Wildcats a puncher’s chance to win the Big 12 this year.
13. LT Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas)
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Steve Sarkisian made it a huge point of emphasis to rebuild the lines when getting the Texas job. Getting Banks Jr. to flip from Oregon as a high school senior was immensely important. Banks Jr. quickly established himself as one of the best tackles in the Big 12. Now going up against SEC competition, it’ll be fascinating to see how Banks Jr. fares. Assuming all goes well, the Longhorns will be in the thick of things as an SEC contender.
12. CB Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame)
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The sophomore out of Phoenix had a fantastic freshman campaign for the Fighting Irish a season ago. Smooth in and out of his breaks, Morrison quickly asserted himself as a depth piece for Notre Dame. He nabbed three interceptions and accrued 10 pass breakups. Along with his terrific ball skills, Morrison is a plus-athlete. Assuming he stays healthy, you could be looking at the best corner in the country not named Travis Hunter.
11. WR Luther Burden III (Missouri)
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Burden III is a multi-faceted athlete. Dating back to his time in high school, he lined up all over the field — impacting the game as a returner, rusher, and receiver. Burden III has been utilized similarly at Mizzou. A fantastic athlete with a strong build, NFL teams are drooling over the thought of using him in a myriad of ways. Think of Deebo Samuel with a bigger frame and more suddenness.
10. RG Tate Ratledge (Georgia)
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If you’re looking for an elite interior offensive lineman, look no further than Ratledge. He has the versatility to play both tackle and guard. However, his bread-and-butter exists inside, where he mauls defensive linemen routinely. Athletically, there are few who move as well as he does at 6’6″ and roughly 315 pounds. In a conference chock-full of elite linemen, Ratledge ranks among the best on either side of the ball.
9. RB Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
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The former Ole Miss back transferred to Ohio State this offseason. Along with TreVeyon Henderson, the duo will make up the best backfield in the country. Judkins is a bona fide NFL prospect — combining a lower center of gravity with power and elusiveness. He rushed for 1,158 yards and 15 TD a season ago. Now part of a two-headed rushing attack, his efficiency as a big-play rusher should trend upward.
8. DT Mason Graham (Michigan)
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Mason Graham will anchor the interior of Michigan’s defense line. For EA Sports College Football players, it will be extremely difficult to run the ball against the Wolverines with Graham in the middle. Graham will have a 95 strength and 95 awareness when the game releases. He’ll outmatch most guards and centers and possesses the closing speed to contain runners and pressure quarterbacks. His presence will be invaluable for a stacked Michigan defense.
7. FS Malaki Starks (Georgia)
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Malaki Starks is poised to be one of the best defensive players in all of college football in ’24. The Georgia Bulldog is fresh off a big sophomore campaign that saw him earn All-American honors. He’s the total package in terms of a defensive back. Starks has good size (6-foot-1), instincts, and athleticism. EA Sports gave him a 93 speed — the second-highest among safeties.
6. WR/CB Travis Hunter (Colorado)
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Colorado’s Travis Hunter will be a fan favorite on EA Sports’ new title. His two-way ability gives him a sort of uniqueness that cannot be replicated by any other player in the country. EA Sports’ top-100 list had Hunter listed as the No. 1 overall receiver, but they’ve already indicated his defensive ability will also be reflected in the game. It’s unknown how Hunter’s energy will be affected if he’s utilized on both sides of the ball. That being said, Colorado having an elite receiver and elite corner rolled into one player is surely a big advantage.
5. FS Caleb Downs (Ohio State)
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Caleb Downs made the move from Alabama to Ohio State in the offseason and will be a major component of the Buckeyes’ defense. The former five-star recruit has all the tools to be an All-Pro caliber safety at the next level. He earned All-SEC honors as a freshman, and should only continue to get better. Having a rangy, ball-hawking safety will be imperative in stopping the pass in EA Sports College Football 25. Downs will have QBs thinking twice about testing the Buckeyes’ defense downfield.
4. RE James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee)
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Widely seen as the probable No. 1 pick in next year’s draft, Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. earned a top-5 spot on EA’s rating list. It’s not all that hard to see why Pearce deserves a high rating. Pearce dominated offensive lines throughout his sophomore campaign, collecting 9.5 sacks en route to earning First-team All-SEC honors. And, he’s still just 20 years old. Pearce’s 88-speed rating will be among the highest of any defensive end in the game.
3. RB Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State)
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2023’s leading rusher earned the No. 1 running back spot on EA’s board. Ollie Gordon III was dominant for the Cowboys a season ago, rushing for 1,732 yards and scoring 21 touchdowns. His overall skill set makes him a nightmare to game plan for. A skilled user will make Gordon unstoppable on the virtual gridiron. A 97 acceleration rating allows Gordon to stop and start on a dime. The Oklahoma State rusher will have defenders looking silly all year long.
2. LT Will Campbell (LSU)
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It’s unwise to overlook the offensive line when evaluating potential teams to use. A stalwart like Will Campbell will give LSU a serious advantage up front. Consistent pressure can force even the best offenses to crumble. That won’t be an issue with somebody like Campbell. His 94-rated strength and 97-rated awareness will give him the ability to repel even the best pass rushers. Plus, he has the athleticism to get downfield and pave the way for ball carriers.
1. CB Will Johnson (Michigan)
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Michigan’s star cornerback Will Johnson occupies the top spot on EA Sports College Football‘s ratings list. It comes after a stellar sophomore campaign for Wilson that ended in a Michigan championship. Johnson made his presence felt in the title game, intercepting a Michael Penix Jr. pass and helping stop the high-powered Washington attack. Johnson will be a force for users picking the Wolverines. His 6-foot-2 frame coupled with a 95 acceleration will make an ideal matchup for the country’s top wideouts.
