There’s no shortage of great players inEA Sports College Football 26, but only the upper echelon can get close to 100 in overall ratings. Overall ratings are a complex mechanic for ranking, as they’re more than just the average of individual stats like speed and strength. Instead, overall ratings take a player’s position into account, rewarding high stats in the most relevant categories more than stats that might not be key to their role on the field.
Overall stats can also reflect aspects of play that might not be reflected in individual stats at all. Some truly great players aren’t always best-of-class in individual categories, while those with fantastic stats can sometimes have weaknesses when it comes to actually playing the game. The result still isn’t a perfect way to measure a player’s prowess on the field, but it’s always interesting to see who comes out on top in anEA Sportsgame.
The Top-Rated Player In College Football 26 Is Jeremiah Smith
A Powerhouse Wide Receiver
As revealed byEA, the highest-rated player inCollege Football 26is Ohio State wide receiver (andCollege Football 26cover athlete) Jeremiah Smith.With a 98 OVR, Smith is ranked about as close to perfection as you can get, and his individual stats are almost as impressive. Boasting mid-to-high 90s in stats like speed, acceleration, agility, and jumping, he excels at everything that makes a great wide receiver.
As the top-ranked recruit in 2024,Smith proved to be a power player and a key part of Ohio State’s ultimate national championship victory. It’s atough act to followin 2025, but it’s no surprise that he’s coming into the game with a player ranking that reflects his star turn in the previous season.
The Top 25 Players In College Football 26
A Good Mix Of Great Players
Following that championship victory, Jeremiah isn’t the only Ohio State player on top, assecond place was taken by free safety Caleb Downs. From there on down, it’s a diverse mix of teams and positions, so most players who follow college football are likely to have someone they’re rooting for ranking among the top 25.
At the end of the day, player preferences matter more than ratings, and most fans are likely to run with theteam they supportregardless of player ratings. All the same, it’s a nice feather in the cap of the players who make the top of the list, and it’s rewarding to see a player you appreciate get the score they deserve. If they didn’t make the cut inEA Sports College Football 26, there’s always next year, so long as graduation isn’t in order.
