WVU’s Best-Kept Secrets in College Football 26 (Total Cheat Code Players)

Originally posted on West Virginia Mountaineers on SI
By Schuyler Callihan | Last updated Jul 29, 2025 12:35 PM ET

After playing College Football 26 for a few weeks, I decided to jot down a few thoughts on some West Virginia players who seem to outperform their overall ratings in the video game, so Mountaineer fans can feature them more in their dynasties.

Keep in mind, this has nothing to do with their real-life expectations. This analysis is purely for gameplay on College Football 26.

RB Tye Edwards

Edwards is the fourth-highest rated running back on WVU's roster in the game at 80 overall, even behind a generated player, Myron Willis. Don't let that stop you from using him in dynasty mode — he's a beast. His size (6'2", 237 lbs) and speed (89 rating) are a nice combination to have alongside the shiftiness of Jahiem White and Jaylan Knighton. Oh yeah, and he'll truck over defenders left and right. Play him.

WR Christian Hamilton

Of the eight real wide receivers, Hamilton ranks fourth on the roster with an overall of 77. He is, however, the fastest among the group with a speed rating of 92, and trust me, he seems faster than that in the game. Rodney Gallagher III is a good option to use in the slot, but if you want to really carve teams up, move Gallagher outside and put Hamilton in the slot. He'll get you 1,000 yards easy.

TE Grayson Barnes

I guess this doesn't have as big of a shock factor, considering he's the top-rated tight end on the roster, but for an offense that is designed to run the ball a bunch, it is. I'm not ashamed to admit that I have two WVU dynasties running, and he went over 800 yards in both of them. He catches literally everything and has the speed (87) of a receiver. He's not just a security blanket — get him the football.

S Israel Boyce

I was interested to see how Boyce would play on College Football 26 because he was an absolute stud in '25. In that game, he was named an All-American multiple times, won some awards, and was a high draft pick in every dynasty I had with WVU. So far, he appears to still have the same impact. He's a ballhawk who doesn't allow many big plays deep down the field. In this year's game, I've noticed year two is when he takes his big step, though.