By Alec Nederveld
After multiple leaks, the official covers for EA College Football 25 have been released. The Deluxe Edition features the backs of many jerseys and flags, but six stick out as players with names and numbers. Alabama QB Jalen Milroe, Georgia QB Carson Beck, and Ohio State (via Ole Miss) RB Quinshon Judkins are pictured in the background. In front are Texas QB Quinn Ewers, Colorado WR/DB Travis Hunter, and Michigan RB Donovan Edwards who stands front and center.
The standard edition meanwhile includes Ewers, Hunter, and Edwards, with a simpler stadium background (I believe it’s the Cotton Bowl in Dallas) and a blue sky. Travis Hunter is featured front and center, with new Big 12 and SEC patches on Colorado and Texas’ uniforms.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
EA COLLEGE FOOTBALL WILL BE RELEASED ON JULY 19 pic.twitter.com/f05Gho1tLR
— PFF (@PFF) May 16, 2024
The game is set to release July 19th, although the Deluxe and MVP editions give early access from the 16th-18th. The standard edition will cost $70, $100 for the Deluxe edition, and $150 for the MVP edition. Alongside the early access, the Deluxe and MVP editions provide Ultimate Team bonuses, with the MVP edition also including Madden 25 and Ultimate Team bonuses in that game.
— EASPORTSCollege (@EASPORTSCollege) May 16, 2024
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Unsurprisingly, the most popular schools and athletes are featured on both the deluxe and standard covers. The six featured players come from probably the six most talked about programs. Five historic powerhouses with recent success and Colorado, who the media can’t stop talking about. Offensive skill positions are the name of the game, with three quarterbacks, two running backs, and a once-in-a-generation pass-catcher who also plays cornerback.
There is an obvious intention to attract casual fans, who may know about Michigan, but not other deserving players like star RB Ollie Gordon II from Oklahoma State. Statistically, Gordon II was better than both Judkins and Edwards, although doesn’t have the benefit of playing for a popular brand. Travis Hunter is probably the most well-known college football player, and it only makes sense for him to be front and center on the standard edition.
A cover athlete case could also be made for Arizona WR Teritoria McMillan, Missouri WR Luther Burden III, and Ohio State S Caleb Downs. McMillan and Burden III fall into the same boat as Gordon II, talented players for smaller brands, but Downs is a bit more puzzling. Yes, he plays defense, but he’s a fantastic, young player and arguably is more recognizable than Quinshon Judkins while sharing the Buckeye brand.
At first glance, putting Donovan Edwards front and center is another questionable choice. He had a great national championship game and was fine as a backup RB, although severely regressed statistically from 2022 to 2023. With that choice from EA, I believe a precedent will be set for the best (or most recognizable) returning player from the prior National Champion to be heavily featured. With all the roster turnover from Michigan, there probably wasn’t a better fit to be the headliner.
Finally, the covers could almost be seen as disrespecting the ACC. No athletes from the conference will have their own cover, and there weren’t any players featured on the Deluxe Edition cover. The eight flags in the background also don’t show any ACC teams.
On the other hand, of the four power conferences, the ACC sits at the bottom in star power. Tell me, who do you think the most recognizable player in the ACC is? Cade Klubnik or Phil Mafah at Clemson? Cameron Ward from Miami? North Carolina State’s Kevin Concepcion? And does that player have a large enough brand to warrant a game cover? I’m sure somebody will break out in the fall, but the conference needs more recognition, especially as its two strongest brands are looking to leave.
There isn’t much else that can be inferred from the game cover. A full game reveal will be coming out tomorrow. Personally, I can’t wait for that, and the full game to come out this summer.
