EA has announced the cover athletes for EA Sports College Football 26, but is making us wait for more details about this year's game.
Today, fans were treated to the reveal of this year's cover athletes. The Standard Edition of EA Sports College Football 26 will feature Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, two young and incredibly talented players.
“Last year, when we brought back the pride, pageantry, atmospheres and traditions of College Football, the response from fans was overwhelming,” said Evan Dexter, VP, Franchise Strategy & Marketing, EA Sports College Football. “With College Football 26, we’re celebrating our sophomore season with two generational sophomore wide receivers on the cover and we can’t wait for the world to experience even more heart and authenticity across athletes, stadiums, coaches and fans.”
As previously leaked, the Deluxe Edition cover will feature a mixture of players (past and present), coaches, and mascots. Some notable faces include former EA Sports cover stars Reggie Bush, Tim Tebow, and Denard Robinson, as well as accomplished coaches like Ohio State’s Ryan Day, Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, and Georgia’s Kirby Smart.
“As a lifelong fan of EA Sports games, being on the cover of College Football 26 is a dream come true,” said Williams. “It was incredible to see myself in College Football 25 last year, and now to represent Alabama and share this moment with fans who’ve played EA Sports games for years is unreal.”
A true freshman last year, Williams made his college football debut at just 17 years old for the Alabama Gators. In 13 games played, he had 48 receptions for 865 yards and 8 touchdowns, while adding 48 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. His performance earned him Freshman All-American, First-team All-SEC, and SEC All-Freshman Team, while establishing himself as one of the nation's most electrifying young wide receivers.
“Being on the cover of EA Sports College Football 26 is a tremendous privilege, and I’m proud to represent Ohio State alongside Coach Day while carrying the Buckeye legacy forward, celebrating the passion of our fans and the tradition of this incredible program,” added Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
Also a freshman, Smith played a crucial role in helping deliver the Ohio State Buckeyes a national championship last season. In 16 games, Smith caught 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Smith shined in the College Football Playoffs, catching 7 receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns in the Rose Bowl versus Oregon. In the CFP National Championship for Notre Dame, he caught 5 passes for 88 yards and one touchdown, including a crucial 56-yard catch on third-and-11 to secure the win.
Unfortunately, we'll have to wait for actual gameplay details. EA has scheduled the full reveal for EA Sports College Football 26 for Thursday, May 29th. I'm assuming we'll get a trailer and some top-level details for what's new in this year's game. EA promises more details will be shared throughout the summer, so I'm guessing that means deep dives into each of the game modes.
EA Sports College Football 26 launches on July 10, 2025, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.