Details are finally being released, and sports gaming fans are pumped. This week, the video games developer revealed key details about College Football 26’s Road to Glory mode. It’s no average Heisman run anymore.
Instead, it is a complete journey that goes from high school scouting moments to career-defining choices. While there is a lot to unpack, one change stands out from the rest: the new scholarship system.
EA College Football 26 Turns Road to Glory Upside Down With Scholarship Changes
In College Football 26, EA Sports makes it very clear that “Not all scholarships are created equal.” In the new era of Road to Glory, earning a scholarship offer is just step one. Now, each scholarship comes with tiers, and those tiers can shift, too.
The official Top 10 Overall Teams in #CFB26 pic.twitter.com/Zxod0PzS2b
— EASPORTSCollege (@EASPORTSCollege) June 27, 2025
In past versions of Road to Glory, coaches chased after players with offers. But that is no longer the case. Now, it is up to the player to prove themselves and work with schools to earn that scholarship. Every scholarship now comes with a tier. Some offers come with great perks, while others do not.
Each week, the player will get a chance to take on different key moments, some of which can boost the player’s chances with certain schools. This system allows players to focus on impressing specific colleges while still depending on their in-game performance.
It is no longer just about which school the player ends up at, but rather how strong the scholarship is. Higher-tier offers come with extra XP, Skill Points, and faster Coach Trust. As the player builds a better relationship with their coach, they will unlock new abilities, making that bond more rewarding than ever.
To make things even better, these tiers can go up and down. The offers are no longer guaranteed. Play well, keep impressing coaches, and your scholarship might improve. However, if a player messes up or slacks, the same school might downgrade the offer or pull it entirely. As EA puts it, “Once you receive an offer, your next goal is to improve it.”
KEEP READING: High School Gameplay Is Back in Road to Glory, But One Major Change Could Divide Fans
Every detail matters in College Football 26, including a player’s star rating, which now is more impactful than ever. As a player moves from a 2-star to a 4- or 5-star recruit, based on high school performance, schools will treat them differently. But it is not a one-way street.
If a player’s tape score drops or another big-time player signs at their position, the player might no longer be a favorite. In addition, even things off the field can shift offers. Talking to the wrong coach the wrong way, or skipping a highlight moment, can all have consequences. Star ratings, highlight moments, and off-field decisions all factor in.
How College Football 26 Makes Every Recruiting Decision Count
It all starts in high school. The player will compete in five games, each broken into moments that will build their recruiting tape. Hitting those goals and answering coaches’ questions the right way helps the player climb the star-rating ladder. The game will allow players to start as an Elite (5-star), Blue Chip (4-star), Contributor (3-star), or Underdog (2-star) recruit, with initial attributes and abilities reflecting that choice.
The final game wraps with “Senior Night,” with the player selecting their top three colleges. On Signing Day, EA keeps it classy, or a player can even add a crowd and some drama, including a custom hat ceremony.
Even after verbally committing, the pressure is still on. Players can commit early to hold onto an offer, but if they want to chase better bonuses, they can wait, which might raise the tape score needed for the next offer. Every decision has a ripple effect.
MORE: Road to Glory Returns With Heisman-Level Hype in EA Sports’ Stunning College Football 26 Deep Dive
Once the player lands at their chosen school, EA has brought in features like Coach Happiness, Wear and Tear, and NIL decisions that can boost stats. However, they all come at a cost. For example, health pools now carry over from season to season, so if a player pushes too hard, they might be limping into junior year.
Coach trust is back, too. This time, it ties into everything: practice, GPA, leadership, and off-field choices. Make the right moves, and the player gains more freedom on the field, including unlocking new abilities, more plays, and more line of scrimmage control.
With this new version of Road to Glory, the player is building a legacy from the first decision they make.
