8 Players Poised to Outshine Their EA Sports College Football 26 Rating
After an expectation-shattering return to the market last year, the EA Sports College Football Series has unveiled the latest edition in the series.
The big thing we all care about? Player rankings.
No matter if someone is a returning star, multiyear backup or an incoming freshman, us fans are going to dissect those ratings—no matter whether it's about our favorite team, a bitter rival or just a fun player to watch.
The following picks are not intended as a shot at the game's developers. Putting together the launch ratings is no simple task.
These are, however, personal beliefs on players who look poised to have a productive year—and land a nice ratings bump in a fall update.
Demond Williams Jr., QB, Washington
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Launch Rating: 82
During the last two games of the 2024 season, Demond Williams Jr. showed his upside in a clear, undeniable manner.
Although the Huskies lost to Oregon and Louisville, he completed 43-of-52 pass attempts for 575 yards and five touchdowns to one interception. He also added 137 rushing yards (excluding sacks) and a score on the ground.
There were flaws, yes. He took a ton of sacks against Oregon, for example.
However, in such a promising offensive system with a star wideout in Denzel Boston leading the receiving corps, Williams' skill set is tantalizing.
Don't expect a magical run in the Big Ten, but Williams will elevate UW.
Micah Alejado, QB, Hawaii
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Launch Rating: 74
The last time we saw Micah Alejado, he threw for 469 yards and five touchdowns while running for 54 more yards in a 38-30 victory.
Pretty good, right?
Because of his inexperience, it's not unreasonable to see Hawaii's projected starter with a low initial rating. What you might notice, though, is Dermaricus Davis—who transferred from UCLA in May—is a 79 on the launch.
Alejado has a great opportunity to solidify himself as a standout QB in reality and subsequently the virtual world.
Jordan Marshall, RB, Michigan
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Launch Rating: 83
Long considered a breakout possibility in 2025, Jordan Marshall enters the campaign with plenty of room to grow.
Alabama transfer Justice Haynes is likely to command a good number of carries. Provided both of them remain healthy, the expectation is Marshall will be part of a time share in Michigan's backfield.
What he might do with those carries, though, is exciting.
During the surprise ReliaQuest Bowl victory over the Crimson Tide, Marshall rushed for 100 yards on 23 carries. He earned MVP honors for that performance.
Throw in his possible kick-return contributions, and Marshall should be a highly impactful piece for the Wolverines in 2025.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Ryan Davis, WR, Utah
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Launch Rating: 76
As part of a rebuild in the receiving corps this offseason, Utah brought in a handful of wideouts from the transfer portal.
The sneaky top option may be Ryan Davis.
Tobias Merriweather (81), Otto Tia (80) and Creed Whittemore (79) all landed a higher rating than Davis (76). But none of them generated as much production as Davis last season—or even in their college career, in some cases.
While with New Mexico in 2024, Davis reeled in 54 passes for 747 yards and three touchdowns. His quarterback, Devon Dampier, also transferred to Utah.
That familiarity between Dampier and Davis is a huge benefit.
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
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Launch Rating: 80
Just because you're a projected starter on Ohio State's defensive line doesn't mean you should be gifted a high rating.
Also, hey, I'm inclined to believe a player of that particular role is ultimately going to outperform an 80. Larry Johnson, the defensive line coach at OSU, is one of the best in the business up front.
Checking in at 6'3" and 326 pounds, Kayden McDonald is set for a featured role after serving as a key backup. He made 19 tackles with 1.5 for loss in 2024.
He's not the biggest name on the Buckeyes' roster, but McDonald should be a vital part of the defense this season.
Paul Oyewale, Edge, TCU
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Launch Rating: 79
On one hand, landing a 79 after sitting the 2024 campaign is respectable. Paul Oyewale missed the season due to an unspecified injury.
If he's healthy, though, he can be a menace.
As a redshirt freshman in 2023, he collected 23 tackles with five for loss (3.0 sacks). Most importantly, that production largely came against power-conference competition; he wasn't just padding stats in scattered snaps.
Oyewale was limited this spring, but all indications are he will be healthy and ready to spark TCU's defensive front in the fall.
Dominic DeLuca, LB, Penn State
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Launch Rating: 83
As with any former walk-on, there's an inherent risk of falling in love with the player's story beyond what they truly contribute.
I do not believe that's happening with Dom DeLuca. It might be! After all, Penn State signed North Carolina transfer Amare Campbell to start opposite Tony Rojas at linebacker, so DeLuca may again be a key backup instead of a starter.
But, man, he just makes plays.
Last year, DeLuca notched 40 stops with four TFLs and grabbed three interceptions—including two against SMU in the CFP first round, returning the first pick 23 yards for a touchdown in that blowout win.
Factor in his value on special teams, the very reason he wears No. 0, and DeLuca is a flexible, versatile asset for the Nittany Lions.
D'Angelo Hutchinson, S, Louisville
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Launch Rating: 78
Thanks to the portal, Louisville rebuilt a ton of the roster, but Jeff Brohm's coaching staff leaned heavily into retooling the secondary.
D'Angelo Hutchinson is the lone returning contributor on the back end.
Fortunately for the Cardinals, he's a good starting piece. He ranked fifth on defense with 52 tackles last season, especially standing out when he posted a career-high nine takedowns during UL's upset win at Clemson.
Hutchinson, a player with All-ACC upside, has a tremendous chance to play far beyond that initial 78 rating.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
