Now that we have an idea of how EA Sports College Football 25 will look and play, many fans are wondering how their favorite team, players, and recruits will rank among the game’s deep 134-school roster. And a large part of that — outside of the 10-year wait — is because real players and active rosters will make their highly anticipated debut for the first time in the game’s storied history.
On May 17, we learned that EACFB25 would have a trio of cover athletes. This led many to speculate on what their ratings might be and whether or not they would be part of the exclusive 99 Club. Then again, we’ve yet to see official ratings for any players, so there’s no guarantee anyone is rated that high. But for the sake of this article and all the fans anxiously waiting for more news to drop, I will act as though we will see players rated as high as 99 overall.
Which begs the question, which players are most likely to join the prestigious 99 Club? Here are seven players who have a strong case for being rated at the top of their respective position groups and among the few players potentially rated 99 overall.
Will Campbell | Offensive Tackle | LSU | #66
Offensive linemen may not get all the glory, but the older I get, the more I realize they’re every bit as important — if not more — than the skill players who get all the fame. And while scouting some of the players for my beloved Dolphins this past April, one lineman really stood out in the 2025 Draft class. His name? LSU left tackle Will Campbell.
Campbell is 6-foot-6, 320 pounds, and has proven he can handle the nation’s top pass-rushers. And being that he is from a big school like LSU, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Campbell is the best tackle in the game.
Mason Graham | Defensive Tackle | Michigan | #55
Flipping to the defensive side of the ball, another player I think has a chance of hitting the 99 mark is Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. He’s a freak. He is a surefire first-round pick (probably top-5) and a player who can dominate whoever lines up across from him. Graham was an All-American in 2023, recording 35 total tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble, leading Michigan to a National Championship. Additionally, he was named defensive MVP of the Rose Bowl.
Undoubtedly, Graham can do it all, he’s the complete package. And there’s a good chance with such a well-rounded toolset, Graham’s stats could be darn near maxed out, making him a good bet for the top of the food chain.
Ollie Gordon II | Running Back | Oklahoma State | #0
There are a handful of big-time backs who could be at the top of the totem pole in EA Sports College Football 25. A few examples include Ohio State running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, and let’s not forget the cover athlete from Michigan, Donovan Edwards. Several others could probably make an argument, but the running back, I think, has the best chance of being RB1 and a 99 overall is Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II.
Last season, Gordon averaged 5.9 yards per carry while totaling over 2,000 all-purpose yards (1,732 rushing and 330 receiving) and 24 touchdowns. Yes, I said over 2,000 all-purpose yards. Numbers like that belong in a video game, which begs the question: could the 2023 Doak Walker Award winner be a 99 overall?
James Pearce Jr. | EDGE | Tennessee | #27
One of the best defensive players in the country, Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. has been a difference-maker coming off the EDGE for the Volunteers since he arrived in 2022. Last year, he landed in the top 5 in both sacks and tackles for loss in the SEC, finishing the year with 9.5 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and an interception that he returned 52 yards for a touchdown.
Expectations for Pearce Jr. could not be higher heading into the 2024 college football season, as many draft pundits view him as a potential #1 pick. And with impressive speed that he can translate to power, there’s a real chance he could be the top-rated EDGE and one of the highest-rated players in the game.
Luther Burden III | Wide Receiver | Missouri | #3
Every time Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III has the ball in his hands, you know something special is about to happen. In 2023, the Tigers leading receiver caught 86 passes for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s also proven during his career that he can be a factor in the run game, making him a versatile piece and the perfect video-game-type player.
After the catch, Burden had over 718 yards last season (8.7 yards per catch), lining up all over the offense. And in a day and age where #elite college wide receivers are created in a lab, Luther Burden may be one of the most explosive we’ve ever seen in a college football video game.
Travis Hunter | Cornerback/Wide Receiver | Colorado | #12
When Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was asked which player he thought deserved to be rated 99 overall, his answer was fellow cover athlete Travis Hunter. Here’s what Ewers had to say:
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“I’m not sure if they’re going to put anyone at 99, but if they do, I think he’ll be the closest to it. His overall ability on offense, defense, and special teams… he can do it all.”
And his ability to do it all makes him an intriguing candidate. In 2023, Hunter caught 57 balls for 721 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, he proved to be one of the best cornerbacks in the nation, totaling 30 tackles, three interceptions and five pass breakups.
It will be very interesting to see how users utilize his two-way potential with EA’s new wear-and-tear system, but when predicting who might be one of the best players in this year’s game, Travis Hunter is a no-brainer. Even Quinn Ewers agrees.
Shedeur Sanders | Quarterback | Colorado
In no way could I have made a list of potential superstar players without naming at least one quarterback. And although I considered Georgia’s Carson Beck or Texas’ Quinn Ewers — who just so happens to be one of the three cover athletes — I went with the player who I believe will have one of the most significant impacts, making him one of the most overpowered or cheesiest players in sports gaming history.
The player I’m referring to is none other than Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders. He’s a human highlight reel. (Obviously, he’s Deion’s son) And with the ability to extend plays with his legs and the arm to pick defenses apart, his skillset will surely be beloved by both sim and competitive gamers.
It also seems highly likely that he will be among the most sought-after players in College Ultimate Team.
Do you think players will be rated 99 overall in EA College Football 2025? If so, what player do you think will be part of EA’s exclusive 99 Club?
