8 Players Poised to Outshine Their EA Sports College Football 27 Rating
The wait is over. The newest release of the beloved series, this time EA Sports College Football 27, is available to the diehards.
We love getting lost in creating a powerhouse. The ground-up build from cellar-dweller to juggernaut remains, in my opinion, one of the most satisfying parts of playing a video game.
Meshing the virtual world with reality, though, is always interesting.
Look, the developers have a difficult job. Never will everyone be satisfied with the rating or each skill or trait. Looking at the initial numbers, however, we've noticed a few players in position to outshine those ratings on the field this fall.
Also: Knock it off with dynasty microtransactions, EA. Don't ruin the game.
Steve Angeli, QB, Syracuse
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Rating: 81
I understand why Steve Angeli is barely above 80 right now. After serving as a backup at Notre Dame, he managed four appearances for Syracuse last season prior to a season-ending Achilles injury.
But those four starts were pretty darn good.
Angeli led the Orange to a 3-1 record, highlighted by a win at Clemson. He threw for 1,317 yards (8.4 per attempt) with 10 touchdowns to two interceptions, adding an 11th score on the ground.
As long as a new-look receiving corps settles into the system, Angeli can solidly be a second-tier ACC quarterback rather than a mid-level guy.
Jeremy Payne, RB, TCU
2 of 8
Rating: 84
Could we find a lower-rated running back to highlight? Sure! This should explain how much I believe in Jeremy Payne, though.
Last year, he ended on a hot streak. Payne handled the bulk of carries in TCU's final three contests. Altogether, he rushed for 350 yards at 6.1 per carry, reeled in eight passes for 109 yards and totaled four scores.
And in 2026, the backfield should be tilted his way.
Jon Denman and lower-division transfer Landon Walker may factor into the rotation, but Payne is positioned for a heavy workload. Between his game-breaking speed and versatility as a pass-catcher, Payne has immense upside.
JJ Buchanan, WR, Michigan
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Rating: 79
Ever watch a player for like three minutes and decide he'll be a superstar? That's where I've landed with JJ Buchanan.
A true freshman at Utah in 2025, he quickly earned a starting job on a high-scoring offense. Buchanan settled in as the No. 3 option, closing the campaign with 26 catches for 427 yards—a strong 16.4-yard average—and five touchdowns.
Buchanan has since followed head coach Kyle Whittingham to Michigan, where offensive coordinator Jason Beck is now, as well.
Safe to say they are aware of Buchanan's abilities!
Andrew Marsh will probably be the Wolverines' top target, but the 6'3", 225-pound Buchanan is a very exciting option in Ann Arbor.
Nate Roberts, TE, Ohio State
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Rating: 79
Perhaps the most speculative pick of the group, Nate Roberts has an intriguing outlook for his sophomore year at Ohio State.
He played regular snaps in 2025, but most of those came as a fullback or traditional run-blocking tight end. Roberts didn't run many routes, only catching four passes for 30 yards on the season.
Nevertheless, opportunity awaits.
Max Klare and Will Kacmarek headed to the NFL draft and Jelani Thurman transferred to North Carolina, leaving Roberts as the next man up.
Jeremiah Smith, obviously, will command the most targets for the Buckeyes. Brandon Inniss is expected to land as the second option, and either Devin McCuin or Chris Henry Jr. could pop.
But expect to see a whole lot of Roberts this season.
Jordan Allen, Edge, Kansas State
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Rating: 78
Unfortunately for Kansas State, the transfer portal took edge-rushers Tobi Osunsanmi and Chiddi Obiazor to Indiana and Ryan Davis to Baylor. Cody Stufflebean used up his eligibility, as well.
But there are a couple of positive notes.
Wendell Gregory, the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, arrived from Oklahoma State. And the Wildcats also return Jordan Allen, who notched 17 tackles with five stops for loss (2.5 sacks) as a rotational piece.
In all likelihood, opponents will key on Gregory—proper, given his 12 TFLs last season. His presence should only help Allen produce on the other side.
Elijah Melendez, LB, Auburn
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Rating: 76
Progression is not always linear. That's always good to acknowledge.
Still, the buzz around Elijah Melendez after his solid freshman year is sensible. He collected 29 tackles with three for loss and snatched two interceptions, returning one 41 yards for a touchdown.
This year, he's expected to slide into a starting spot alongside All-SEC teammate Xavier Atkins. The combination of Melendez's experience plus a veteran leader next to him is appealing for this outlook in 2026.
Melendez should be more effective than a replacement-level linebacker, which is essentially what a 76 rating suggests on an SEC roster.
Zion Frink, CB, Old Dominion
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Rating: 67
Truly a traveshamockery for Zion Frink.
Old Dominion posted a 10-3 record last season, ranking 14th nationally with 18.4 points allowed per game. The secondary yielded just 6.1 yards per pass attempt, and Frink was a valuable part of that success.
Not only did he finish sixth on the Monarchs at 60 tackles, but Frink also co-led the defense with six pass breakups. He grabbed one interception and forced a fumble, too.
Factor in his top-10 passer rating when targeted among Sun Belt corners last year, and Frink's impact is much higher than a 67.
Aaron Flowers, S, Oregon
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Rating: 82
Aaron Flowers absolutely must improve in coverage. Because of his occasional issues there last season, this initial rating is fair.
I would like to fire up the hype train, though.
As a redshirt freshman, he racked up 70 tackles—third on the team—while chipping in three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and an interception. Flowers was particularly noticeable in run defense.
If the Ducks needed to rely on him as their top safety, perhaps that would be too much of an ask. However, they brought in Minnesota transfer Koi Perich to replace versatile standout Dillon Thieneman.
Flowers can be a high-quality complement in a stout UO secondary.
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