By Carson Mays 
EA Sports College Football 26 was universally released on July 10th. Fans of the sport and the game itself are chomping at the bit to see the improved gameplay as well as the new bells and whistles incorporated into the newest iteration. The official site for the game itself released a rankings system showcasing the top 100 players in the game. Cutting it down slightly, we’ll look at the top 25 players you can play with in order to win a National Championship.
25. Leonard Moore — Notre Dame (93)
Moore was among the breakout stars during Notre Dame’s run to the National Championship Game last season, and his ’93’ overall rating is a testament to this. His ’92’ speed, ’94’ agility, and ’93’ change-of-direction ratings make him incredibly difficult to shake in man coverage. For players who love to run aggressive defensive schemes and trust their corners on an island, Moore is an indispensable asset to the Fighting Irish secondary going into his sophomore year.
24. Kyle Louis — Pittsburgh (93)
Louis is the leader behind one of the most athletic linebacker corps in Pittsburgh school history. He is a versatile player who brings a high motor and playmaking ability to the heart of the Panthers’ defense. He is the kind of player who can fill multiple roles — whether it’s blitzing the quarterback, tracking down ball carriers in space, or even covering tight ends over the middle — and his ’93’ rating reflects this.
23. Keldric Faulk — Auburn (93)
For players looking to generate sacks and TFLs, Faulk will be your guy. Listed at 6’6″ and 270 lbs, he is a machine in the line of scrimmage and is projected as a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft. His high ratings in strength (’89’) and agility (’81’) make him a nightmare for opposing offensive tackles, and Auburn will be heavily relying on him for his pass rushing in 2025.
22. Jonah Coleman — Washington (93)
Coleman is a bowling ball of a running back. He figures to be the go-to guy in Jedd Fisch’s offense up in Seattle. For players of the game, Coleman is the type of runner you can rely on for large stretches. Much like his real-life standing, he gets better as the game progresses. His sledgehammer-esque running ability makes Coleman a perfect fit to go up against fatigued defenses.
21. Isaac Brown — Louisville (93)
Brown is a stud in this game. He might not be a household name, though that hasn’t stopped the creators of the game from appropriately rating him as an elite running back. With a ’93’ overall rating, Brown is also given ’95’ for his speed, ’96’ for his change-of-direction, and ’96’ for his agility. In other words, throwing him screens out of the backfield likely will result in some big chunk plays.
20. Francis Mauigoa — Miami (93)
Mauigoa figures to be one of the better offensive linemen in all of college football this upcoming season. Scouts are drooling over his combination of length, size, and athletic ability. Mauigoa’s ratings on the game reflect this as well. He registers with a ’94’ mark on awareness and a ’95’ in strength. Any game player selecting Miami will assuredly be relieved knowing that the talented tackle will protect his side of the line at a very high level.
19. Elijah Sarratt — Indiana (93)
Sarratt is coming off a big year for the Hoosiers with 987 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He leads the way for Indiana with the highest rating on the team with a ’93’ overall rating, and cements his spot as one of the top receivers in EA CFB 26. For players, his ability to consistently haul in passes and create separation makes him a vital weapon in any offensive scheme, turning short gains into significant yardage.
18. Eli Stowers — Vanderbilt (93)
The highest-rated tight end and Vanderbilt player is Eli Stowers, sitting at ’93’ overall. With catching and jumping stats both sitting over ’90’, he figures to be an extremely reliable player. He can be utilized effectively in the red zone as a big target or stretched out wide to exploit slower linebackers and safeties. His presence gives Vanderbilt’s offense a legitimate receiving threat from the tight end spot.
17. Dillon Thieneman — Oregon (93)
Thieneman arrives at Oregon after transferring from Purdue as one of the top safeties in the game, securing a ’93’ overall rating. He is a true defensive anchor. His high awareness and coverage skills make him a ball-hawking threat in the secondary, while his tackling ability ensures he’s always around the ball in run support. He will be a versatile piece to build a dominant defense around.
16. David Bailey — Texas Tech (93)
The Red Raiders will have every reason to be excited about Stanford transfer David Bailey, who they are pinning their hopes on to lead their defensive resurgence — especially with a new-look defensive line. If he performs as expected, he could hit All-Big 12 level and be an All-American at the end of the season. In addition to the ’93’ rating, players will appreciate his high awareness (’97’) as he consistently finds his way into the backfield to disrupt plays.
15. Colin Simmons — Texas (93)
Coming off an impressive 2024 season as a true freshman, Simmons recorded nine sacks and 13 tackles for a loss in 16 games while being named to the 2024 SEC All-Freshman team. All eyes will be on him to elevate his game in his second year. With a ’93’ rating, he finds himself as the third-highest rated EDGE in the game. Players will find Simmons to be an immediate force in generating pressure and forcing turnovers from the defensive end position.
14. Chandler Rivers — Duke (93)
Rivers is a gem in the making, and his ratings back it up. His ’92’ speed, ’94’ agility, and ’94’ change-of-direction make him incredibly sticky in man-to-man situations. Rivers also boasts a high awareness rating, allowing him to anticipate routes and make plays on the ball. He’s the kind of shutdown corner that allows gamers to take risks with other defensive players, knowing one side of the field is locked down.
13. Ar’Maj Reed-Adams — Texas A&M (93)
The highest-rated Aggie on the list is Reed-Adams. The colossal 6’5″, 330-pound senior possesses both high strength (’96)’ and blocking (’93’) ratings, making him a formidable presence in both pass protection and run blocking. He will undoubtedly serve well while running a power running game, or simply needing a reliable pocket for their quarterback, who can anchor the offensive line and open up crucial lanes.
12. Spencer Fano — Utah (94)
Now entering his third and junior year, Fano has emerged as one of the best offensive linemen in the Big 12 and is already considered a top prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. His ’94’ overall will mean exceptional run-blocking and pass-blocking grades, which make him a cornerstone for any offensive line. He will establish a dominant ground game and is undoubtedly an invaluable asset for any play style focused on offensive line play.
11. Peter Woods — Clemson (94)
Woods is one of the premier defensive tackles in the game with a ’94’ overall rating. His presence alone can disrupt opposing offensive lines. He is a force against both the run and the pass, capable of collapsing the pocket from the interior and stuffing running lanes. For players building a suffocating defense, Woods is a must-have to control the line of scrimmage.
10. Kadyn Proctor — Alabama (94)
At ’98’ strength, Proctor is the second-strongest player in the game, just one point behind teammate Jaeden Roberts at ’99’. The offensive tackle started all 14 games as a freshman for Alabama in 2023. After a brief stint at Iowa, he returned to the Crimson Tide and brought stability to the offensive line. In the game, his blocking skills and strength are top-tier and provide excellent protection for the quarterback.
9. Jordyn Tyson — Arizona State (94)
Tyson has been a key wide receiver for Arizona State, and all signs point to an even better 2025. His speed and route-running abilities allow him to stretch the field and create separation, and he recorded 1,110+ receiving yards and 10 TDs last year. This will translate beautifully in the game, as his attributes make him a deep threat and a reliable target.
8. Jermod McCoy — Tennessee (94)
Despite a torn ACL in the offseason, McCoy is projected as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The cornerback who transferred from Oregon State made an immediate impact at Tennessee, recording four interceptions in his sophomore season. In the game, McCoy’s coverage skills and ball-hawking abilities make him a standout in the secondary.
7. Dylan Stewart — South Carolina (94)
There are good athletes…and there’s Dylan Stewart. He’s coming off a fantastic freshman year with the Gamecocks in which he notched 6.5 sacks and 11.0 TFL. Many believe he’ll be in contention to be a No. 1 Overall pick when draft eligible two years from now. His explosiveness off the edge is uncommon, as is his pursuit of the ball for such a young player. We see this reflected in the game, where Stewart is given a ’91’ speed and a ’91’ agility. Good luck trying to operate with a drop-back pocket passer with Stewart rushing off the edge.
6. TJ Parker — Clemson (95)
Parker is the leader of what should be a very good Clemson defense. He ranks as the top defensive end in the game. Considering the talent at the position, it’s a ringing endorsement of a guy who can bull rush tackles, run over them, and also run around them en route to the quarterback. While not a pure speed rusher, Parker’s best traits in CFB 26 are reflected through awareness and strength.
5. Ryan Williams — Alabama (95)
Williams is one of the most dynamic players in the country — and that’s reflected beautifully in this game. He’s got the best change-of-direction grade of any player in CFB 26. Williams is also given a rating of ’96’ with speed and ’99’ with agility. The thought of using him on jet sweeps, screens, and drags over the middle of the field makes him immensely fun to play with…and a total nightmare to stop.
4. Jeremiyah Love — Notre Dame (95)
Love is an explosive back. He’s tied for being the second-fastest player in the entire game — and that mirrors his big-play ability at Notre Dame. His agility, change-of-direction, and INJ ratings are all fantastic. While he does have the juice of a smaller back, Love’s frame also lends itself to being a very capable runner in-between the tackles. He may be the most complete skill player not named Jeremiah Smith in the whole game — and that’s saying something.
3. Anthony Hill — Texas (95)
Hill is the heartbeat of the Texas defense. A player demonstrating aggressiveness and energy, the ‘tacking machine’ moniker likely will be appropriate for Hill this year, given the expectations he’s bringing to the table. The ratings through the game showcase a player with crazy-good speed and awareness for the position. If the opposition is trying to attack your team horizontally with quick passes, screens, sweeps and reverses, Hill is the perfect antidote to snuff those plays out.
2. Caleb Downs — Ohio State (96)
Downs is the highest-rated defensive player in the game. He can be utilized in a myriad of ways — whether in coverage as a ballhawk, coming up on blitzes to help in run support, or even off the edge as a speedy rusher. All of his athletic ratings in the game are elite for his position. Downs also has a ’96’ INJ mark, meaning that there’s a strong likelihood he will not become injured.
1. Jeremiah Smith — Ohio State (98)
It should come as no surprise that Smith is the premier player in this game. Much like his real-life capabilities, any game player utilizing the stud receiver essentially can just throw streaks downfield with the high likelihood that Smith will either outrun the opposing defense or leap up to make the catch. At that point, given his ratings breakdown, breaking tackles en route to the end zone also seems like a high probability of occurring.
Angel Atienza-Romero