With summer starting, football season is fast approaching. And as the first harbinger of sitting on your couch from 11 am to 1 am every Saturday is the EA Sports College Football 26 (CFB 26) cover reveal. The EA Sports cover reveal today offers the first tangible look at the highly anticipated second outing for the resurrected and beloved sports title. With the full game reveal on May 29, 2025, the two CFB 25 cover choices for the Standard and Deluxe Editions share the wealth by doing their best to highlight the programs across college football, but don’t forget to call out the rising talent at two top schools.
The CFB 26 Standard Cover Highlights the Crimson Tide and Buckeyes
Get BWT in your inbox!
Get BWT in your inbox!
Players on the CFB 26 cover (Standard Edition):
- Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama
- Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
The Standard Edition cover features two prominent sophomore wide receivers: Alabama’s Ryan Williams and Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith. Still, between the two, it should be noted that the CFB 26 cover looks to the future of football. Instead of the juniors and seniors getting ready for the NFL draft, EA Sports’ CFB 25 cover clearly emphasizes the new generation of college football stars who burst onto the scene in their freshman campaigns.
Williams and Smith’s selection for the Standard Edition cover is a testament to their immediate impact. Williams is a dynamic playmaker whose highlights were arguably some of the most-played clips last season. He also quickly established himself as a record-setter at Alabama. Smith is already a cornerstone of Ohio State’s offense, one of the nation’s top receivers. He demonstrated elite route-running and a knack for clutch performances during the Buckeyes’ run to the National Championship.
Ryan Williams and Jeremiah Smith also represent two teams coming into the new season with different things to prove and protect. After a season that put all eyes on him with almost impossible receptions, Ryan Williams’ spot on the cover comes after a disappointing season for one of College football’s most storied Dynasties, after yet another no-SEC National Title game. For Jeremiah Smith, though, Ryan Day’s Ohio State is coming off a National Title and a dominating performance from the Big 10.
Through the release from EA Sports, Williams and Smith expressed their excitement for participating in the EA Sports CFB legacy. “As a lifelong fan of EA Sports games, being on the cover of College Football 26 is a dream come true,” Williams said. “It was incredible to see myself in College Football 25 last year, and now to represent Alabama and share this moment with fans who’ve played EA Sports games for years is unreal.”
Smith added, “Being on the cover of EA Sports College Football 26 is a tremendous privilege, and I’m proud to represent Ohio State alongside Coach Day while carrying the Buckeye legacy forward, celebrating the passion of our fans and the tradition of this incredible program.”
CRF 26 Deluce Edition Cover takes a different approach, highlighting players and coaches
Coaches on the CFB 26 cover (Deluxe Edition):
- Kirby Smart, Georgia State Head Coach
- Ryan Day, Ohio State Head Coach
- Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame Head Coach
- Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss Head Coach
- Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State Head Coach
- James Franklin, Penn State Head Coach
Current Players on the CFB 26 cover (Deluxe Edition):
- Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
- Jeremiyah Love, RB Notre Dame
- Nick Singleton, RB Penn State
Past Players on the CFB 26 cover (Deluxe Edition)
- Reggie Bush
- Tim Tebow
- Denard Robinson
Mascots on the CFB 26 cover (Deluxe Edition)
- Smokey, University of Tennessee
- “Puddles” (he will always be Puddles), Oregon
- Hairy Dawg, University of Georgia
- The Tiger, Clemson
But when we look at the CFB 26 cover for the Deluxe Edition, it’s a different story. Where the CFB 26 cover for the standard edition looks to college’s rising talent, the Deluxe Edition looks to what’s been established. The Deluxe Edition cover’s design addresses college football’s broader appeal and heritage.
It features a strong coaching presence with Ohio State’s Ryan Day, Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, and Georgia’s Kirby Smart. All three coaches have redefined their schools’ identities, recognizing the head coaches’ pivotal role in shaping program identity.
They are joined by instantly recognizable mascots and current standout players such as Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, and Penn State running back Nick Singleton. Adding a nod to the game’s own legacy, past EA Sports cover stars Reggie Bush, Tim Tebow, and Denard Robinson also make appearances on the Deluxe Edition, connecting the current iteration to the franchise’s rich history.
For those eager to get a head start, the EA Sports MVP Bundle is now available for pre-order. It includes the Deluxe Editions of EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26, granting three-day early access to both games and additional bonuses. The Standard and Deluxe Editions of College Football 26 are also available for pre-order independently of Madden.
EA Sports College Football 26 will launch globally on July 10, 2025 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
