Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

EA Sports College Football 26 Reveals Two Best Players

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 1:33 PM ET

The EA Sports College Football 26 player ratings show that Ohio State returns elite talent for its national championship defense.

Ohio State watched 14 players get drafted earlier this year, but Ryan Day still has a superstar anchor for each unit. Two Buckeyes players boast the highest ratings for the video game, which successfully returned from a lengthy hiatus last year.

Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith tops the recently released EA Sports ratings with an overall 98 grade. Safety Caleb Downs is next at 96.

Smith graces the standard cover alongside Alabama's Ryan Williams, the game's second-highest rated wide receiver. Williams' 95 grade ties Anthony Hill Jr., Jeremiyah Love, and T.J. Parker for the third-best mark.

The Buckeyes should have an explosive aerial attack both in the virtual world and on the real gridiron this season. Wide receiver Carnell Tate and tight end Max Klare each rate 91.

But nobody would blame gamers or Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin for frequently targeting Smith. The highly touted wideout exceeded the immense hype by recording 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as a true freshman.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 20: Jeremiah Smith #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second quarter in the 2025 CFP National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Hardly bothered by the bright spotlight, Smith submitted 381 yards and four touchdowns during Ohio State's College Football Playoff run. The 19-year-old enters his second season with the best Heisman Trophy odds of any non-quarterback.

"This is all a blessing," Smith told The Athletic's Manny Navarro. "The season I had last year was a blessing. I just won a national championship, contributed to a top team. I mean, all of this has been surreal. I'm just soaking it all in, but I'm not finished."

Meanwhile, Downs steered a defense that allowed a nation-leading 12.9 points per game. The Alabama transfer collected 82 tackles (eight for a loss) and two interceptions during an All-American season.

Buckeyes fans may wish Smith or Downs received an elusive 99 rating, but the stars are poised to provide plenty more highlights in 2025.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: