After a massive return with College Football ‘25, EA Sports is coming back with more for with CFB 26. EA released the standard and deluxe covers of the newest version of the game on Tuesday, with the stars of both covers being sophomore sensations who lit up the college football world as freshmen.
Now, who are these stars on the standard cover of CFB 26? Let’s get to know them more.
Alabama WR Ryan Williams (standing): Williams was one of the best receivers in college football last season as a 17 year old, being the big play threat on the outside for a Crimson Tide team that just missed out on a playoff berth. His speed and body control make him look less like a wide receiver and more like a speed skater, gracefully hauling in catches outside his frame and casually pulling stuff like this TD against Georgia out:
Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith (crouching): In case you’ve been living under a rock, Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith was THE best receiver in college football last year. Yes, even with Travis Hunter and Tetairoa McMillan still in school. You don’t just get Julio Jones comparisons thrown out for no reason anymore, and Smith lived up to those from the first snap of the first game through the national championship, where he dominated. Smith is a created character at wide receiver, having the size and speed to out athlete anyone and the nuance within his route running to create separation at will. When you’re doing this as a freshman, there’s not much really anyone can do about it:
There’s also the deluxe cover of CFB 26, which adds something we didn’t get in the previous games: actual coaches! Per The Athletic’s Chris Vannini, the real coaches of college programs will be in the game, as evidenced by some of the game’s best on the cover. Let’s break down who made the deluxe edition cover of CFB 26.
Penn State RB Nick Singleton (next to Smith): I thought Singleton was going to enter the 2025 NFL Draft, but instead he opted to return to Happy Valley as Penn State goes for a title. His gamebreaking speed and receiving ability should be fun to play with again in the game.
Former USC RB Reggie Bush (next to Williams): Another added aspect to the deluxe cover is the use of former CFB stars like Bush. Many people born way before the current players on the cover remember Bush as a massive star at USC, so getting him on the cover is really cool.
Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love (row behind Smith and Williams): Love is one of the top backs in college football, who helped power Notre Dame to the national championship game in 2024. He’s one of the fastest players in the sport and is a big play waiting to happen.
Michigan QB Bryce Underwood (next to Love, on left): Underwood being on here is a massive testament to his talent and what the college football world thinks of him. As a former top recruit, Michigan paid a pretty penny in NIL to get him to stay with the Wolverines, and with the other Michigan QBs not throwing in the spring, it looks like he’s going to start really early.
Georgia HC Kirby Smart (next to Underwood): Smart is the best coach in college football, so it makes sense that he’s on this cover. As coach of the Bulldogs, Smart has gone 105-19 and won two national titles, something most guys can’t even dream of doing.
Former Michigan QB Denard Robinson (behind Smart): Robinson is another NCAA cover athlete alumni, gracing the cover of NCAA 14 as he ran wild through college football. Robinson was one of the most underrated fun players to watch in college football.
Former Florida QB Tim Tebow (next to Love, on right): Tebow is one of the most iconic college football players of all time, winning two titles with the Gators and a Heisman trophy. Tebow being on this cover had to happen.
Penn State HC James Franklin (next to Tebow, on right): Franklin has come under much fire, but he’s also one of the top coaches in college football. He’s 101-42 as coach of the Nittany Lions, but this year could be his best shot to win a national championship.
Florida QB DJ Lagway (next to Tebow, on left): After waiting his turn behind former Gator QB Graham Mertz, Lagway took over midway through his freshman year and didn’t disappoint. Now, as the surefire starter, he looks to become the next high profile Gator QB.
Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman (next to Lagway): Freeman took over the Fighting Irish job and hasn’t looked back since, leading the Irish to the national championship last season. Now, he hopes to get back and win the title with a revamped Notre Dame roster.
Ohio State HC Ryan Day (on right, behind Franklin): One of the most maligned coaches in the sport, Day has his detractors but has one thing most coaches don’t: a CFP national championship. With that in tow, he goes into the 2025 season looking to repeat his success.
Ohio State S Caleb Downs (on left, next to Day): Smith’s teammate and perhaps Day’s biggest transfer portal win as a head coach, Caleb Downs transferred from Alabama to Ohio State and helped turn their defense into a spectacular one. His instincts are among the best in college football, flying downhill to make plays close to the line of scrimmage and having the range to impact downfield passes.
Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin (next to Downs, on left): Kiffin is one of the most eccentric coaches in college football. He’s active on social media and draws up really fun plays that most CFB 26 players will love using in the game.
Arizona State HC Kenny Dillingham (next to Kiffin, on left): Dillingham is one of the best coaches in college football, helping to turn around a listless Arizona State program en route to the College Football Playoff in 2024. With his QB and top receiver returning in 2025, Dillingham and the Sun Devils could get back there once again.
Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt (next to Dillingham, on left): Leavitt really turned it on at the end of the college football season. His dual threat ability and penchant for big plays outside the pocket makes him one of the most electric QBs in the NCAA.
Clemson QB Cade Klubnik (behind Leavitt): Klubnik has finally grown into his own as the starting QB of the Tigers, leading Clemson to an ACC title and CFP playoff berth. He’s another example of a dual threat QB who can win with his arm and legs.
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier (next to Klubnik, on right): Nussemeier is one of the best QBs in college football this year, but how he wins is different from the other guys on here. Nuss is more of a pocket passer, winning with timing and anticipation instead of pure arm strength and athleticism.
Oregon HC Dan Lanning (next to Puddles the Duck, on right): Lanning has established himself as one of the top coaches in college football, bringing Oregon to the forefront of the sport. The Ducks got the number one seed in the CFP last season, but now they have to go where no Oregon football team has before: to the apex of the CFB world and win the title.
South Carolina EDGE Dylan Stewart (next to Lanning, on right): Stewart is one of the most electrifying defensive linemen in college football and is also only a sophomore. South Carolina’s defense was really good last year, but now Stewart is the leader of the team.