The return of NCAA football to consoles with EA Sports College Football 25 was a resounding success, with fans loving the first new edition in over a decade. Now that the series has slipped back into the more familiar annual model, however, it’s time to brace for the incremental changes to the offering each year. One such small change has now dropped with the release of this year’s College Football 26 covers, and both the standard and deluxe editions offer some interesting changes.
Who Are The Cover Stars Of College Football 26?
The introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules meant that College Football 25 debuted with a unique twist on the cover, featuring current players such as Donovan Edwards, Quinn Ewers, and Travis Hunter ahead of their final college seasons. Prior editions could only rely on players who had gone pro and were no longer restricted by NCAA rules.
This year, however, will feature two players who will even be back again next year as rising sophomores in Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams will have to complete their third year before becoming draft eligible. The two torched defenses last season, in particular Smith, and were rewarded with this premium spot.
What Is The Deluxe Edition Of College Football 26?
The Deluxe Edition of College Football 26 is a premium version of the game that comes with a higher price tag, offering a variety of bonuses, primarily in the form of early access to the game’s various currencies and points. The unique edition also gets a unique cover, and this year’s edition expands the opportunity out to not just additional players, but also past stars, current coaches, cheerleaders, fans, and even some mascots to represent the full spectrum of the college football world.
Bryce Underwood Makes History As True Freshman On Cover
With so many faces on the cover of the deluxe edition of College Football 26, it can be easy to get lost in the crowd, but among the various stars, past and present, one face stands out from the crowd in the form of Michigan Wolverine Bryce Underwood. The Wolverine quarterback is a true freshman, meaning not only will the cover feature an athlete with several years in front of him, but one who fans will get to take to the digital gridiron before getting to see him take the field for real.
Why True Freshmen On The Cover Is A Game Changer
With the introduction of Underwood on the Deluxe cover of College Football 26, and the opportunity for more true freshman to earn the opportunity in the future, this could be a big deal for top-rated recruits moving forward for several reasons:
- An NIL Opportunity: The first and most obvious benefit to incoming freshmen from the decision to include a first year player on the cover is the new opportunities this creates for top recruits in upcoming years. A cover spot is a chance to get some money in their pocket and their face on the gaming shelves of college football fans around the country.
- Fan Excitement: Seeing one of your players chosen for the cover of a sports video game can be an exciting event for fans who love their team and players. With true freshmen making the cut this gives fans the opportunity to get hyped for their incoming stars, and the fact it will always be among the top recruits means it’s a player fans are already clamoring to see in their school’s uniform.
- Recruiting Boon: When looking at the advantages big schools have in recruiting, particularly in the modern landscape, no one addition will fully change the seas, but this can provide a little more ammunition to the biggest programs. Cover spots on College Football games tend to go to players at big programs and now schools can attempt to leverage these increased chances right from a recruit’s freshman year.
With just its second edition after a long hiatus, it’s clear that we’re still just now beginning to learn what the new normal will be as the series transitions back into being an every-year kind of event. While future editions may see EA revert back to smaller selections even on the Deluxe edition, Underwood’s inclusion shows a willingness to use true freshmen and it will be a goal for incoming expected-stars in the years ahead.
