Leaks are out and game developers took their time in accurately ranking several teams on offense, defense and overall.
Brad Crawford
Gameplay notables and a slew of features are officially out for College Football 25's upcoming summer release from EA Sports, the much-anticipated video game that's sure to shatter previous records of the title's various iterations following an 11-year hiatus. EA Sports released a four and a half-minute gameplay montage on its social media channels Friday and with that, came several team rankings leaks from "play now" team select screens.
College Football 25 launches nationwide July 19 with pre-orders available now. For those who pre-order the title, EA Sports is giving early access 72 hours early on Playstation 5 and Xbox console users. The first of its kind in next-gen, gamers and media types alike are chomping at the bit to play prior to the start of the 2024 college football season.
Editor's note: Player and team rankings that have been shown by EA Sports or via leaked social media images are subject to change and are not considered final.
RELATED:College football's 10 most-impressive transfer portal classes in 2024
Here's a look at the highest-rated programs in College Football 25 based on some of Friday's leaks:
Clemson Tigers (95 OVERALL)
— Austin Pendergist (@apthirteen) May 17, 2024All 3 Clemson shots from the EA Sports College Football 25 trailer.
Howard’s Rock ✅
Oculus ✅
New scoreboard ✅WE ARE SO BACK pic.twitter.com/FPFbkcdGG2
Offense: 87
Defense: 98
No surprise with a host of important elite defensive starters— including linebacker Barrett Carter and pass rusher Peter Woods— returning to see Clemson's defense in this high regard. Add in five-star freshman linebacker Sammy Brown and the Tigers are loaded on that side of the football. That said, scoring points might be on the more difficult side without Will Shipley in the backfield, as well as learning the new passing meter with Cade Klubnik under center.
Michigan Wolverines (93 OVR)
— Alejandro Zúñiga (@ByAZuniga) May 16, 2024Michigan has appeared on the NCAA Football cover more than any other program:
NCAA Football 99: Charles Woodson
NCAA Football 06: Desmond Howard
NCAA Football 14: Denard Robinson
College Football 25: Donovan Edwards pic.twitter.com/FjKwjOoANd
Offense: 92
Defense: 92
Sherrone Moore's defensive staff hires should work out beautifully for the Wolverines this season since there are multiple All-American candidates at every level. And College Football 25's developers know this. Mason Graham andKenneth Grantreturn at the line of scrimmage andMichigancan absorb the loss of Junior Colson withErnest Hausmannand Maryland transfer Barham taking over in leadership roles.Makari Paigeis back too, and Will Johnson — one of the nation's top cornerbacks. SafetyKeon Sabbleaving forAlabamawas the only notable portal casualty following the coaching change. Impressive.
Utah Utes (92 OVR)
Offense: 89
Defense: 90
Put some respect on Kyle Whittingham's name as Utah enters the Big 12 this season in virtual form and on the field. Utah's bevy of uniform options should be a lot of fun in College Football 25, along with running this offense's wide-open scheme with Cam Rising returning at quarterback. Looks like the defense will be in the elite ranks too with a 90 rating according to the early screen shots from the play-now menus.
NC State Wolfpack (90 OVR)
Not since Philip Rivers + TA McClendon has EA Sports given NC State this much love in a video game ... give me ALL of the Pack's uniform options, btw (@PackPride) pic.twitter.com/bMfkBlH3K2
— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) May 31, 2024
Offense: 87
Defense: 92
Not since the Philip Rivers and TA McClendon era in the early 2000s has NC State been this highly-rated in video game form. Coming off another nine-win season under Dave Doeren, the Wolfpack reloaded with one of this cycle's top transfer classes, headlined by Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall, Duke running back Jordan Waters and Ohio State wideout Noah Rogers. NC State is one of the dark-horse picks to potentially win the ACC this fall.
BYU Cougars (87 OVR)
#BYU vs. Utah Play Now screen in EA Sports College Football 25 gameplay reveal.#BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/DT64oOUNaa
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) May 31, 2024
Offense: 87
Defense: 80
We didn't expect BYU to be this highly-rated in College Football 25, but with Gerry Bohanon at quarterback and a handful of special upperclassmen leading the other side of the football, the Cougars could very well be a force in EA Sports' newest title. This rivalry matchup should be one of the most-played during the first week of release for those gamers out West.
Iowa Hawkeyes (85 OVR)
Offense: 71
Defense: 94
Is Iowa's offense rated too high? Jokes aside, this looks to be about right for the Hawkeyes, who should be tough to score on, especially since you can design coverages and shade safeties to certain areas of the field in College Football 25. With several all-conference players returning on Phil Parker's defense, you'll have to score points at a premium against Iowa this season. We're looking forward to the wave during home games, one of college football's best traditions.
Michigan State Spartas (85 OVR)
Offense: 85
Defense: 78
EA Sports is high on the Spartans, huh? Noted. Jonathan Smith has a transfer portal-laden roster ahead of his first season in East Lansing and has been picked to finish somewhere in the middle of the pack in the new-look Big Ten. That said, if Michigan State gets to bowl eligibility, that's a step in the right direction for a program in transition under a new coach and philosophy.
Miami Hurricanes (84 OVR)
Miami’s defense on EA Sports College Football 25… pic.twitter.com/W91Psj8bVQ
— Geo Milian (@GeoMilian) May 31, 2024
Offense: 80
Defense: 78
So if the Hurricanes are actually rated in the mid-80s with lower-tier scores on offense and defense, that must means special teams will be desirable and there's a few high-level players offensively with notable attributes — looking at you, transfer quarterback Cameron Ward. One of this cycle's top players at the position, Ward takes over for Tyler Van Dyke (who's now at Wisconsin) and will have some help around him, including former Oregon State star running back Damien Martinez.
Duke Blue Devils (82 OVR)
Offense: 80
Defense: 74
We haven't yet seen any Florida State, Louisville or Virginia Tech team select screenshots from the ACC ranks, but Duke came in at a respectable 82 overall ahead of former Miami coach Manny Diaz's first season with the Blue Devils. The offense is considerably ahead of the defense right now, likely due to Texas transfer quarterback Maalik Murphy making the move to Durham this offseason. He was the second-teamer last fall at Texas behind Quinn Ewers and ahead of Arch Maning.
USF Bulls (77 OVR)
Offense: 75
Defense: 70
Where's the respect for one of the Group of Five's expected big boys this fall? Quarterback Byrum Brown is a big-play waiting to happen and coach Alex Golesh signed the highest-rated recruiting class in the Group of Five ranks during the the 2024 cycle, but you wouldn't know it by these ratings. USF should be one of the most exciting teams to play with in College Football 25, and have a number of alternate uniforms that might be included.
