EA Sports NCAA Football 12: Top 10 Cover Choices

Is there any better yearly video game? Some like Madden, but college football fans can attest to how awesome NCAA Football is every year.

Whether you like Xbox or PlayStation, everyone will have the same player on that game cover. This list examines the top 10 candidates to be on the upcoming cover.

While I would like to see a different one for each system, I have to settle on one.

Here we go.

10. Blaine Gabbert

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COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers passes during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats on November 13, 2010 at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

One of the reasons Gabbert isn’t higher on this list is that he’s only been a starter for two seasons.

He sat behind Chase Daniel for his freshman season and now is leaving after his junior season.

In his time at Missouri, Gabbert totaled 40 touchdown passes and 6,822 yards.

Top Cover Reason: He’s likely to be the first QB taken in the 2011 NFL draft. 

NFL Draft: Top five or top 10

8B. A.J. Green

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 12: A.J. Green #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Sanford Stadium on September 12, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

A.J. Green is the best WR since Michael Crabtree, maybe even better.

Due to a four-game suspension issued at the beginning of the season, Green only accounted for 848 yards and nine touchdowns his junior season.

This receiving stud has started for the Georgia Bulldogs since his freshman year and accumulated over 2,600 yards receiving and 23 touchdowns.  

Top Cover Reason: Projected to be the first WR taken in the 2011 NFL draft.

NFL Draft: Top 10

8A. Julio Jones

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Julio Jones #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a long reception against the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

It’s a hard pick between A.J. Green and Julio Jones.

While Green is probably the better player, missing four games due to a suspension is a little disconcerting.

Jones racked up 15 receiving touchdowns as a member of the Crimson Tide and over 2,600 yards.

Top Cover Reason: A very popular player and one of the most dangerous threats in the SEC for the past three seasons.

NFL Draft: Top 10 or top 15

7. DeMarco Murray

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NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 27: Running back DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners during play against the TCU Horned Frogs at Memorial Stadium on September 27, 2008 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Murray should be called A.D. 2.0.

Totaling 75 touchdowns and over 6,700 total yards is just plain ridiculous.

The guy is simply a beast, and the fact that he did not make a trip to New York as a Heisman finalist is a joke.

Top Cover Reason: The stats. They speak for themselves.

NFL Draft: Second round

6. Patrick Peterson

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BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State Univeristy Tigers celebrates after scoring a touchdown by posing as the Heisman Trophy against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge

This junior out of LSU has been a nightmare for SEC quarterbacks the past three seasons.

He may be the first pick in the NFL draft; he’s that good.

It’s not often that a shutdown corner picks off four passes, but Peterson keeps quarterbacks honest. 

Top Cover Reason: His possibility of going No. 1 in the NFL draft.

NFL Draft: Top three

5. Nick Fairley

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers warms up before taking on the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin C.

Fairley is simply a rhinoceros. Just ask any SEC quarterback or center.

His ferocious style of play got him into some trouble, and he has been criticized as being a dirty player.

But there’s no denying that he is a freak of a talent.

His 12 sacks in 2010 are the same as former Nebraska star Ndamukong Suh—good company to be in.

Top Cover Reason: The guy is a beast.

NFL Draft: Top 10 or top 15

4. Von Miller

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Von Miller of Texas A&M works out during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

This LB from Texas A&M will not be missed by nine Big 12 teams.

A total of 178 career tackles, 33 sacks and an interception in four seasons with the Aggies.

Watch for Miller to wreak havoc on Sundays.

Top Cover Reason: High draft stock.

NFL Draft: Top three

3. Cam Newton

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers reacts during their game against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by K

While fans have their own individual beef with Cam Newton, there is no mistaking that he’s a once in a decade talent.

With back-to-back national championships at the Division I and junior college levels, Newton is simply a winner.

The reigning Heisman winner, for now, and one of the top quarterbacks entering the NFL draft.

Newton is damn good.

Top Cover Reason: Heisman, obviously.

NFL Draft: No. 1?

2. Jake Locker

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies passes against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on September 18, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Cornhuskers defeated the Huskies 56-21. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Gett

As much as it pains my heart to say it, Jake Locker is just so likable.

My Duck pride tells me to hate the guy, but I simply can’t.

His 2010 season was riddled with injuries, causing his season to be a disappointment.

He probably should have entered the draft a year ago, but who can fault a kid for wanting to stay and get his degree?

Top Cover Reason: A fan favorite.

NFL Draft: Late first round

1. Mark Ingram

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NEW YORK - DECEMBER 12: Running back Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide poses with the Heisman Trophy during a press conference after being named the 75th Heisman Trophy winner at the Marriott Marquis on December 12, 2009 in New York City. (Pho

Mark Ingram really deserves it.

Unfortunately, injury prevented him from another successful season, but he still was an undeniable workhorse.

He isn’t a top-five NFL pick or even a top-10 pick.

But he is popular with college football fans, and that’s what really sells.

Top Cover Reason: 2009 Heisman winner.

NFL Draft: Late first round

Mark Ingram should be the NCAA Football 12 cover athlete.