NCAA Video Game Ratings for Top Players for 2015 Season
Two long years ago, a video game company and a large business with questionable compensation practices abundantly ended their relationship. It was a decision many saw coming; it was also crushing for those of us who enjoyed playing college football on gaming consoles.
Lawsuits and the threat of further lawsuits forced EA Sports to halt its NCAA Football franchise, at least for the time being. As a result, our summers are a little bit lonelier these days. Our offseasons are a bit longer.
To help fill this football field-sized void, I have decided (again) to rate the top 50 players in college football using the video-game friendly 100-point scale. Using a combination of statistics, season expectations, athletic abilities and a healthy dose of the ol' eyesight test, players were rated, ranked and sorted.
Although there will be no NCAA Football 16, this is an examination at what the best players in the nation would stack up if such virtual art existed.
It won’t make the franchise magically reappear—at least not this year—but it will help kill some time before the actual season reveals what is behind the curtain. It was also undoubtedly make many of you incensed over omissions and ratings that don’t sit well. Be sure to express your hypothetical video game outrage accordingly.
I have no doubts that you will. Genuine anger over hypothetical video game ratings is why we cherish this magical sport.
Down the hypothetical rabbit hole we go…
50-41: The Freakishly Athletic Contingent
1 of 14
In terms of overall athleticism, you won’t find a more explosive group than this outside of the Top 10.
Yes, Braxton Miller—who will reportedly take his talents to wide receiver, according to Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated—made the cut. Being the two-time offensive player of the year in your conference comes with perks. While durability is a concern, he does things with the football in his hands few others can.
Adoree’ Jackson, USC’s three-way star, also made the cut, fresh off his All-America track performance. This will likely be the last time he deals with any rating under a 95.
Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg—with his 98 arm strength rating intact—is also featured here. With a big season and some more consistency, he could soar well past names he is currently behind.
50. Justin Thomas, Georgia Tech (QB): 92
49. Paul Perkins, UCLA (RB): 92
48. Braxton Miller, Ohio State (QB): 92
47. Cameron Sutton, Tennessee (CB): 92
46. Adoree’ Jackson, USC (CB): 92
45. DeForest Buckner, Oregon (DE): 92
44. Christian Hackenberg, Penn State (QB): 92
43. Tyler Boyd, Pitt (WR): 92
42. Royce Freeman, Oregon (RB): 92
41. Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina (WR): 93
40-31: Let the Ohio State Run Commence
2 of 14
Of the 10 players listed below, four are quarterbacks. USC’s Cody Kessler is the lowest rated of the group—if you want to call him that at No. 28—while Michigan’s State Conner Cook is the highest at No. 23, one spot ahead of Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott.
And yes, nestled in between is Ohio State’s Cardale Jones. Blessed with the strongest arm in the game and create-a-player size, Jones is a difficult player to rate. Given the great unknown, however, this feels about right.
While big on QBs, this stretch is not short on Pac-12 defenders, either. The state of California is well represented as both Myles Jack and Su’a Cravens here their names called.
40. Reggie Ragland, Alabama (LB): 93
39. Vonn Bell, Ohio State (S): 93
38. Leonard Floyd, Georgia (LB); 93
37. Samaje Perine, Oklahoma (RB): 93
36. Cam Robinson, Alabama (OT): 93
35. Duke Williams, Auburn (WR): 93
34. Darron Lee, Ohio State (LB): 93
33. DeShaun Watson, Clemson (QB): 93
32. Rashard Higgins, Colorado State (WR): 94
31. Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech (CB): 94
30-21: Quarterbacks Galore
3 of 14
Of the 10 players listed below, five are quarterbacks. USC’s Cody Kessler is the lowest rated of the group—if you want to call him that at No. 28. Michigan’s State Conner Cook is the highest at No. 22, one spot ahead of Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott. Jared Goff, Cal's underrated superstar is also featured at No. 27.
And yes, nestled between is Ohio State’s Cardale Jones. Blessed with the strongest arm in the game and create-a-player size, Jones is a difficult player to rate. Given the great unknown and the minuscule sample size, however, this feels about right.
While big on QBs, this stretch is not short on Pac-12 defenders, either. The state of California is well represented as both Myles Jack and Su’a Cravens hear their names called.
30. Derrick Henry, Alabama (RB); 94
29. Derek Barnett, Tennessee (DE): 94
28. Cody Kessler, USC (QB): 94
27. Jared Goff, Cal (QB): 94
26. Cardale Jones, Ohio State (QB): 94
25. Myles Jack, UCLA (LB): 94
24. James Conner, Pitt (RB): 94
23. Dak Prescott, Mississippi State (QB): 94
22. Connor Cook, Michigan State (QB): 94
21. Su’a Cravens, USC (LB): 94
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
20-11: A Place of Great Beef
4 of 14
Let us begin with the large men . Three deserving linemen are off the board, each with a rating of 95. Baylor’s Spencer Drango is tops overall at No. 11 overall, followed by Ohio State’s Taylor Decker (No. 14) and then Notre Dame’s Ronnie Staley (No. 15). All three are exceptional at what they do: move bodies.
Surrounding these linemen are some exceptional talents. Defensive end Shawn Oakman joins his Baylor teammate at No. 20. Go up two spots and you’ll find Leonard Fournette, one of the most physically gifted running backs in the nation. SEC freaks Myles Garrett, Robert Nkemdiche, and Laquon Treadwell are also in the mix.
And yes, Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett comes off the board at No. 12. Oh, we’re not done with Buckeyes yet.
20. Shawn Oakman, Baylor (DE): 95
19. Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State (DE): 95
18. Leonard Fournette, LSU (RB): 95
17. Myles Garrett, Texas A&M (DE): 95
16. Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss (DT): 95
15. Ronnie Staley, Notre Dame (OT): 95
14. Taylor Decker, Ohio State (OT): 95
13. Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss (WR): 95
12. J.T. Barrett, Ohio State (QB): 95
11. Spencer Drango, Baylor (OT): 95
10. Nick Chubb, Georgia (RB): 96
5 of 14
Before he even took the field in Athens, we knew that running back Nick Chubb was a cheat code. An image of him jumping straight in the air at a track meet—reaching obscene heights—quickly made the rounds. A legend was born.
When former Georgia running back Todd Gurley went down—a fellow cheat code—Chubb got his shot. He didn't just fill in; he became an instant star.
Chubb finished with 1,547 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also averaged an absurd 7.06 yards per carry. His 266-yard performance against Louisville in the team’s bowl game showcased his full range of skills: speed, agility, size and a violent running style that is still very beautiful.
He has the chance to become the best player in the nation in a hurry. Heck, some of you probably believe he’s already there.
9. Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss (OT): 96
6 of 14
We’ll get to the magnificence of the player in a moment, but first let’s address the unfortunate. As it stands now, Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil is dealing with a slew of off-field matters. After reportedly getting into an altercation with his stepfather, the NCAA has gotten involved after talk of potential involvement with agents surfaced. I wouldn’t say his eligibility is threatened just yet, but it is something to monitor.
There’s also an on-field matter to be concerned with: Tunsil broke his leg back in the Peach Bowl. He’s currently working his way back to 100 percent.
When healthy, however, he is the best offensive lineman in the nation. Tunsil is shockingly athletic for his size and has looked the part of an NFL franchise left tackle since he arrived on campus. Hopefully we get to see him at his very best this fall, because it is exceptional.
8. Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame (LB): 96
7 of 14
He is essentially a human missile. That’s the easiest way to describe Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith, who moves remarkably well for a man weighing 235 pounds. One might say he moves almost unfairly well—stretching his influence from sideline to sideline somewhat naturally.
As a sophomore last season, Smith finished with 112 tackles, good for first overall on the team. He also added nine-and-a-half tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. But this doesn't begin to highlight what he provides for this defense.
Still growing into his body and his position, Smith should only improve. That’s horrifying news for a Texas team coming off a bowl performance where you—yes, you—were the leading rusher. The Longhorns will see Smith in Week 1.
7. A’Shawn Robinson, Alabama (DT): 96
8 of 14
There will be no gaudy numbers posted here. The value in Alabama’s best player—and that’s precisely what A’Shawn Robinson is—exists in the way he allows the others around him to thrive.
Thankfully for him, there are a herd of NFL scouts completely invested in just that. The junior, who checks in at 6’4” and 312 pounds, is versatile enough to excel at any position along the Alabama defensive line. As a result, he will likely be very rich very soon.
Before he realizes his fortune, however, Robinson still has work to do. The anchor of the nation’s most terrifying defensive line will help make running the football against the Crimson Tide a deplorable task. Good luck.
6. Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State (RB): 96
9 of 14
220, 230 and 246.
By themselves and without context, these numbers mean little. But when you realize that these were Ezekiel Elliot’s individual game rushing totals over Ohio State’s last three games last season—games against Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon—you begin to realize how spectacular this run was.
For the year, Elliott finished with 1,878 rushing yards, averaged 6.88 yards per carry and scored 18 touchdowns. He did this while operating at 225 explosive pounds.
A spectacular combination of speed and size, Elliot will run behind the nation’s best offensive lines in 2015 and be surrounded with talent. While he may not get the carries to reach 2,000 yards—Ohio State will likely sit him early in games that get out of reach—he is the premier running back of a quality group.
5. Trevone Boykin, TCU (QB): 97
10 of 14
Not long ago—heck, go back one calendar year—we were still wondering if Treveone Boykin’s football future was at quarterback, wide receiver or running back. He’s dabbled with all three since he arrived at TCU.
One year and two new offensive coordinators later, however, and Boykin is now one of the elite players in all of college football. In 2014, Boykin accounted for 41 touchdowns. He threw for nearly 4,000 yards and added more than 700 on the ground. He led an offense that became explosive overnight.
What’s most terrifying about Boykin is that he still has so much room to improve. It was never about his tools or physical abilities—those have always been there. As he grows more comfortable in the offense, he should get better. Look out.
4. Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida: 97
11 of 14
He can’t play quarterback, which is more or less the extent of the criticism one can pass in the direction of the nation’s premier cover corner as he leads Florida.
The statistics are fine: Hargreaves had three interceptions from last season, matching his total from his freshman year. He also finished with 38 tackles in 2014 and is far more physical player than he gets credit for.
The true value in the Gators' corner exists in the areas that will never show up on any stat sheet. In a conference loaded with big, physical wideouts, he is more than just a worth adversary. Do yourself a favor and watch every single play of Florida’s October 3 matchup against Ole Miss: Hargreaves going up against a healthy Laquon Treadwell should be glorious.
3. Scooby Wright, Arizona (LB): 98
12 of 14
A man named Scooby finished Top 10 in Heisman voting last season, and no one seemed to notice. Given his numbers, this doesn’t seem possible. Although somehow Arizona’s supreme linebacker remains tragically under watched.
The numbers, as mentioned above, are absurd. Wright finished last season with 163 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and six forced fumbles.
Please take a moment to review the previous sentence. This was one of the best defensive seasons of the past decade.
His production was enough to earn him a ninth-place finish in the Heisman. He should have been even higher. Regardless of voter bias against defensive players, there’s no reason to believe Wright won’t deliver a worthy encore.
2. Jalen Ramsey, Florida State (CB): 98
13 of 14
At times last year, it felt as thought there had to be three No. 8s on the field for the Florida State defense. That’s how active Jalen Ramsey was for the Seminoles, patrolling the secondary in spectacular fashion.
It’s rare to see a defensive back total 79 tackles and nine-and-a-half tackles for loss, although this is not your average DB. Ramsey, who also broke up 12 passes, intercepted two passes and forced two fumbles proved just how versatile and unique he is in 2014.
He is a linebacker with cornerback skills. He is a rare hybrid that plays almost any position. On top of being an elite defender, Ramsey is also All-America in track.
At this point, he’s just showing off.
1. Joey Bosa, Ohio State (DE): 99
14 of 14
He is a 275-pound defensive end capable of doing backflips. That seems like a perfectly reasonable place to start. He also somehow trademark an ordinary shrug, which speaks to his influence.
Joey Bosa is the most complete player in all of college football. He is the best player on the best team in the nation. The Buckeyes have an abundance of talent—eight players in the top 50 here—and Bosa is the leader of the group.
Yes, he gets sacks. Last year he sacked quarterbacks 13.5 times and has 21 in his short career despite being a focal part of the defense ever since he arrived. He won a game by sacking a quarterback through a running back last year; yes, that happened.
What’s most impressive about Bosa, however, is how quickly he became a dominant three-down defensive end. The sacks are nice, but they don't tel the entire story. If you were building a defensive lineman for your program, you could probably just save some time and build this guy.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
