Gone are the days of College Football 26 Coins a single athlete striking a pose against a backdrop of stadium lights. Instead, EA has gone all-in on maximalism. To many fans, it felt less like a video game cover and more like a chaotic yearbook page for college football's biggest personalities.
Player Spotting Becomes a Game of Its Own
Once fans got past the shock, a new type of engagement emerged: identifying who made the cover. Alabama wideout Ryan Williams. Florida QB DJ Lagway. Penn State’s Nick Singleton. Ohio State standouts Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs—the latter helping the Buckeyes become the only school with two active players included.
That revelation alone sparked discussion threads debating which programs “deserved” more recognition. Was this a sign of EA’s internal ratings? Marketing partnerships? Or simply a snapshot of who was willing to participate in the licensing process?
Then came the next big discovery: the coaches.
Coaches Crash the Party—And Fans Take Notice
For the first time in the rebooted series, college football coaches have officially been featured on the cover. Georgia’s Kirby Smart, Penn State’s James Franklin, and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham all appear in the leaked art. This detail sparked intense debate in forums and subreddits.
“This better mean Dynasty Mode is back in full force,” one Redditor posted, while another added, “If I can’t recruit against Dillingham and Smart, what are we even doing?”
Coaches were noticeably absent in College Football 25, and their inclusion in this version could signal significant gameplay changes. EA hasn't confirmed the scope of their role, but the visual inclusion has fans optimistic.
Bryce Underwood's Cover Debut Stirs the NIL Pot
A particularly eye-catching detail? The presence of true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, who just enrolled at Michigan. Underwood’s inclusion marks the first time a true freshman has appeared on a college football game cover—an unprecedented move made possible by buy CUT 26 Coins the explosive growth of NIL rights.
