{"id":197583,"date":"2025-07-11T01:43:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T01:43:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/197583\/"},"modified":"2025-07-11T01:43:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T01:43:10","slug":"ranking-top-50-freshmen-in-ea-sports-college-football-26-video-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/197583\/","title":{"rendered":"Ranking top-50 freshmen in EA Sports College Football 26 video game"},"content":{"rendered":"

EA Sports College Football 26 officially dropped<\/a> on Thursday, marking the second consecutive year of the game\u2019s release. The video game made its return\u00a0last summer for the first time in over a decade.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While EA did not release a full official list, On3 went looking through the video game\u2019s rosters to compile the top-50 freshmen in this year\u2019s edition. It\u2019s worth noting that not every top-ranked high school recruit entering the 2025 season opted in to the game in time to make the intial release date. For example, Ohio State cornerback and No. 6 overall recruit Devin Sanchez<\/a> is not featured in the game.<\/p>\n

For the second time in EA Sports College Football\u2019s history, athletes are being compensated for having their\u00a0name, image and likeness<\/a>. That also means on-field performances are being factored into the players\u2019 ratings. Here\u2019s the full breakdown of the top-50 freshmen in EA Sports College Football 26:<\/p>\n

1. Oregon WR Dakorien Moore<\/a> \u2013 84 Overall
The top-ranked freshman in the game, Dakorien Moore, enters the 2025 season with high expectations. Previously committed to LSU and Texas, the Ducks were able to pull the wide receiver from Texas. With Evan Stewart expected to miss time this season, Moore is thrust into a big-time role in Year 1 at Oregon. Over his four-year high school career at Duncanville (Texas), he caught 204 passes, amassing 4,113 yards and 48 touchdowns while averaging better than 20 yards per catch.<\/p>\n

2. Clemson RB Gideon Davidson<\/a> \u2013 83 Overall
Already being tabbed as one of the top running backs in the ACC, Gideon Davidson is expected to contribute immediately this fall at Clemson. Quarterback Cade Klubnik compared Davidson to Clemson great Travis Etienne in fall camp. A four-star recruit in the\u00a0Class of 2025<\/a>, the running back finished his high school career with 7,438 rushing yards on 701 career carries with a 10.53-yard average and 118 rushing touchdowns. <\/p>\n

3. LSU RB Harlem Berry<\/a> \u2013 83 overall
The most electric running back in the 2025 cycle, Harlem Berry, has flashed the ability to be a game-changer in the passing game, too. The 5-foot-10, 182-pound running back was heavily utilized in the spring as returners Caden Durham and Kaleb Jackson were the only players getting as many reps as him. He is expected to immediately be a factor in LSU\u2019s passing game. He topped the 2,000-yard mark for rushing yards all four years of high school. <\/p>\n

4. Clemson DL Amare Adams<\/a> \u2013 82 overall
At 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, Amare Adams was as a top-five defensive linemen in the 2025 cycle. The top-ranked recruit in the state of South Carolina, Adams collected 250 career tackles, 40 tackles for loss and 14 sacks in his high school career. The Tigers have a deep defensive line with Peter Woods and T.J. Parker returning, but Adams will be a contributor as a true freshman. <\/p>\n

5. Georgia DL Elijah Griffin<\/a> \u2013 82 overall
Ranked by On3 as the No. 1 defensive lineman in the class of 2025, Elijah Griffin has turned heads since the minute he arrived at Georgia. He posted 53 tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks as a senior in 2024 at Savannah Christian Preparatory School. <\/p>\n

\u201c[Defensive lineman]\u00a0Elijah Griffin\u00a0is a bulletproof prospect. Really talented, really driven, one of the best I\u2019ve been around. Maturity, habits \u2014 this guy is a pro,\u201d a source told On3 in the winter. <\/p>\n

6. Texas RB James Simon<\/a> \u2013 81 overall
Ranked as the No. 10 running back in the 2025 class in the On3 Industry Ranking, James Simon left Louisiana for the state of Texas as a recruit. As a senior at Calvary Baptist Academy, he rushed for 1,280 yards and 16 touchdowns on 149 carries. He averaged 8.6 yards per carry and logged six 100-yard rushing performances. <\/p>\n

7. Maryland ATH Zymear Smith<\/a> \u2013 81 overall
Zymear Smith was ranked as a top-10 athlete nationally as a recruit, picking Maryland over Penn State and South Carolina. A one-time Alabama commit, Smith carried the ball 71 times for 609 yards and 7 touchdowns while also catching nine passes for 380 yards and four touchdowns as a senior at Denton (Md.) North Caroline. He\u2019s listed as a wide receiver on Maryland\u2019s roster and a running back in EA Sports College Football 26. <\/p>\n

8. Texas WR Kaliq Lockett<\/a> \u2013 81 overall
Kaliq Lockett ranked as the No. 20 overall prospect in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking. The five-star recruit is the highest-ranked wide receiver commit of the Steve Sarkisian era. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound wide receiver gives the Longhorns a big-body wideout on the outside. He caught 47 passes for 625 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior at Sachse (Texas). <\/p>\n

9. Kansas State TE Linkon Cure<\/a> \u2013 81 overall
The biggest win for Kansas State in the 2025 recruiting cycle, Linkon Cure, will immediately be a top target for quarterback Avery Johnson. Cure picked the Wildcats at the end, even with Oregon making a big-time push. The 6-foot-4.5, 225-pound tight end with a 32-inch arm and 10-inch hand finished his senior season with 1,049 yards and 17 touchdowns on 57 catches in just nine games. <\/p>\n

10. Michigan QB Bryce Underwood<\/a> \u2013 81 overall
On3\u2019s No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class, Bryce Underwood, stunned the nation last November when he flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan. The 6-foot-4, 214-pound quarterback finished his high school career with a 50-4 record, winning state championships as a freshman and sophomore. He broke the Michigan high school football records for\u00a0career passing and total touchdowns<\/a>. <\/p>\n

11. Auburn DL Malik Autry<\/a> \u2013 81 overall
12. Miami RB Girard Pringle Jr.<\/a> \u2013 81 overall
13. Florida WR Vernell Brown<\/a> \u2013 80 overall
14. Texas WR Jaime Ffrench<\/a> \u2013 80 overall
15. Alabama RB AK Dear<\/a> \u2013 80 overall
16. Texas DL Justus Terry<\/a> \u2013 80 overall
17. Alabama OL Michael Carroll<\/a> \u2013 80 overall
18. Texas A&M OL Lamont Rogers<\/a> \u2013 80 overall
19. Georgia OL Juan Gaston<\/a> \u2013 80 overall
20. LSU CB DJ Pickett<\/a> \u2013 80 overall<\/p>\n

21. Georgia Tech RB JP Powell<\/a> \u2013 80 overall
22. Florida WR Dallas Wilson<\/a> \u2013 80 overall
23. Ohio State QB Tavien St. Clair<\/a> \u2013 80 overall
24. Alabama QB Keelon Russell<\/a> \u2013 80 overall
25. Ohio State RB Bo Jackson<\/a> \u2013 80 overall
26. Tennessee OL David Sanders<\/a> \u2013 80 overall
27. Georgia EDGE Isaiah Gibson<\/a> \u2013 80 overall
28. Oregon RB Dierre Hill<\/a> \u2013 80 overall
29. Texas CB Kade Phillips<\/a> \u2013 80 overall
30. Alabama CB Dijon Lee<\/a> \u2013 79 overall<\/p>\n

31. Texas A&M TE Kiotti Armstrong<\/a> \u2013 79 overall
32. Florida State DL Kevin Wynn<\/a> \u2013 79 overall
33. Miami EDGE Hayden Lowe<\/a> \u2013 79 overall
34. Oklahoma OL Michael Fasusi<\/a> \u2013 79 overall
35. UCLA RB Karson Cox<\/a> \u2013 79 overall
36. Penn State RB Tikey Hayes<\/a> \u2013 79 overall
37. Colorado QB Julian Lewis<\/a> \u2013 79 overall
38. Texas EDGE Lance Jackson<\/a> \u2013 79 overall
39. Texas WR Daylan McCutcheon<\/a> \u2013 79 overall
40. UCF RB Taevion Swint<\/a> \u2013 79 overall<\/p>\n

41. Utah RB Daniel Bray<\/a> \u2013 79 overall
42. Missouri RB Marquise Davis<\/a> \u2013 79 overall
43. Miami OL SJ Alofaituli<\/a> \u2013 78 overall
44. Syracuse S Demetres Samuel<\/a> \u2013 78 overall
45. USC CB Trestin Castro<\/a> \u2013 78 overall
46. Washington OL Champ Taulealea<\/a> \u2013 78 overall
47. Penn State TE Andrew Olesh<\/a> \u2013 78 overall
48. Cincinnati RB Zion Johnson<\/a> \u2013 78 overall
49. Georgia LB Zayden Walker<\/a> \u2013 78 overall
50. Florida EDGE Jalen Wiggins<\/a> \u2013 78 overall<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"EA Sports College Football 26 officially dropped on Thursday, marking the second consecutive year of the game\u2019s release.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":197584,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[42411,42412,42413,42414,5977,42415,42416,14497,42417,42418,37910,42419,42420,42421,42422,42423,7,40579,42424,42425,42426,42427,37915,42428,27738,42429,42430,42431,42432,42433,37916,42434,42435,42436,42437,42438,42439,42440,42441,42442,42443,42444,49,48,42445,42446,32736,42447,42448,42449,42450,42451,42452],"class_list":{"0":"post-197583","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ncaa-football","8":"tag-akylin-dear-25-quitman","9":"tag-amare-adams-25-south-florence","10":"tag-andrew-olesh-25-southern-lehigh","11":"tag-bo-jackson-25-villa-angela-st-joseph-hs","12":"tag-bryce-underwood-25-belleville-high-school","13":"tag-champ-taulealea-25-valley-christian","14":"tag-dakorien-moore-25-duncanville","15":"tag-dallas-wilson-25-tampa-bay-tech","16":"tag-daniel-bray-25-north-crowley","17":"tag-david-sanders-jr-25-providence-day-school","18":"tag-daylan-mccutcheon-25-lovejoy","19":"tag-demetres-samuel-26-heritage","20":"tag-dierre-hill-25-althoff-catholic","21":"tag-dijon-lee-25-mission-viejo","22":"tag-dj-pickett-25-zephyrhills","23":"tag-elijah-griffin-25-savannah-christian-prep","24":"tag-football","25":"tag-gideon-davidson-25-liberty-christian-academy","26":"tag-girard-pringle-25-armwood","27":"tag-harlem-berry-25-st-martins-episcopal-school","28":"tag-hayden-lowe-25-oaks-christian","29":"tag-isaiah-gibson-25-warner-robins","30":"tag-jaime-ffrench-25-mandarin","31":"tag-jalen-wiggins-25-james-rickards","32":"tag-james-simon-25-calvary-baptist-academy","33":"tag-jp-powell-25-miller-county","34":"tag-juan-gaston-25-westlake","35":"tag-julian-lewis-25-carrollton","36":"tag-justus-terry-25-manchester","37":"tag-kade-phillips-25-hightower","38":"tag-kaliq-lockett-25-sachse","39":"tag-karson-cox-25-oak-hills","40":"tag-keelon-russell-25-duncanville","41":"tag-kevin-wynn-25-greene-county","42":"tag-kiotti-armstrong-25-jasper","43":"tag-lamont-rogers-25-horn","44":"tag-lance-jackson-25-pleasant-grove","45":"tag-linkon-cure-25-goodland","46":"tag-malik-autry-25-opelika","47":"tag-marquise-davis-25-cleveland-heights","48":"tag-michael-carroll-25-img-academy","49":"tag-michael-fasusi-25-lewisville","50":"tag-ncaa","51":"tag-ncaa-football","52":"tag-sj-alofaituli-25-bishop-gorman","53":"tag-taevion-swint-25-osceola","54":"tag-tavien-st-clair-25-bellefontaine","55":"tag-tikey-hayes-25-aliquippa","56":"tag-trestin-castro-25-upland","57":"tag-vernell-brown-iii-25-jones","58":"tag-zayden-walker-25-schley-county","59":"tag-zion-johnson-25-newton","60":"tag-zymear-smith-25-north-caroline"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197583","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=197583"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197583\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/197584"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=197583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=197583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=197583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}