Early access for EA Sports College Football 26 dropped yesterday for deluxe edition buyers, bringing back memories of countless hours spent on the virtual gridiron.
From Joey Harrington’s awkward pose to Tim Tebow’s electric energy, these covers tell the story of college football’s greatest stars. But which ones actually delivered when it came to design, athlete selection, and pure nostalgic power?
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20) NCAA Football 2003: Joey Harrington
This one was a clear miss by EA. Harrington almost looks fake on the cover, and to be blunt, he wasn’t all that good at Oregon.
I’ve been in love with Autzen Stadium since NCAA Football 2003. pic.twitter.com/bmIGSycHzs
— NFL Fashion Advice (@fashion_nfl) September 23, 2023
While this game certainly holds nostalgia for many fans, it also features the worst cover in the series.
19) NCAA Football 10: Brian Orakpo, Brian Johnson, Mark Sanchez, and Michael Crabtree
NCAA 10 marked the second year EA released multiple covers for a single game. Having four different athletes makes it hard to rank as a cohesive design, which is why it sits this low on the list.
That time, 15 years ago, that @Utah_Football legend Brian Johnson graced the cover of EA Sports NCAA Football 10. #GoUtes #CFB25 pic.twitter.com/DxA3EsEtFV
— University of Utah (@UUtah) July 19, 2024
In addition to Utah QB Brian Johnson, alternate covers feature Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree, Texas EDGE Brian Orakpo, and USC QB Mark Sanchez.
18) NCAA Football 09: DeSean Jackson, Matt Ryan, Owen Schmitt, Darren McFadden
NCAA 09 was the first year that EA released numerous covers for the same game. However, these athletes are still better than the ones featured on NCAA 10, which is why it ranks slightly higher.
Darren McFadden announced as the cover athlete for NCAA Football 09 on G4’s XPlay in 2008. pic.twitter.com/JpjnUUBbCX
— Hog Flashbacks (@HogFlashbacks) May 17, 2023
Along with Arkansas RB Darren McFadden, Boston College QB Matt Ryan, California WR DeSean Jackson, and West Virginia FB Owen Scmitt grace other versions of the cover.
17) NCAA Football 98: Danny Wuerffel
There’s no denying that Danny Wuerffel is a Florida legend. But among all the college football video game covers, NCAA 98 didn’t make its mark.
NCAA Football 98 — Cover Athlete: Florida QB Danny Wuerffel pic.twitter.com/91dCWqULcp
— CFB Home (@CFBHome) May 17, 2020
The cover athlete is great, but the cover itself feels bland. Fans can’t even see Wuerffel’s face clearly.
16) NCAA Football 2002: Chris Weinke
Along the same lines as NCAA 98, Chris Weinke was a great quarterback for Florida State, winning the Heisman trophy in 2000. However, the game’s cover wasn’t all that special.
NCAA Football 2002 — Cover Athlete: Florida StateQB Chris Weinke pic.twitter.com/pPDn2P79li
— CFB Home (@CFBHome) May 17, 2020
While Weinke’s face is visible in this one, it still doesn’t qualify as one of the best covers.
15) NCAA Football 08: Jared Zabransky
EA’s decision to feature a Boise State player on the cover was a cool move, especially after QB Jared Zabransky led the Broncos to a perfect 13-0 record in the 2006 season.
#ThrowbackThursday Name a forgotten Group of 5 legend.
Mine: Boise State QB & NCAA Football 08 cover boy Jared Zabransky. pic.twitter.com/TWAghrti3N
— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) August 31, 2023
While it’s a cool nod to Boise State, this one doesn’t stand out among the all-time great covers.
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14) College Football 25: Travis Hunter, Donovan Edwards, and Quinn Ewers
EA Sports College Football 25 brought back Saturdays in the fall to video games after a 10-year hiatus. Overall, though, the cover lacked any real pizzazz, instead opting for the same “photo” approach that we see in this year’s version.
A look at the cover of EA College Football 25 and in-game footage pic.twitter.com/4vigWBdgDM
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) May 10, 2024
It features eventual Heisman winner Travis Hunter, but both Quinn Ewers and Donovan Edwards had pretty down seasons in 2024.
13) NCAA Football 14: Denard Robinson
NCAA 14 was the last game to come out before fans lost it for a decade. It’s a great game and will go down as one of the best of all time, but its cover wasn’t the best.
Michigan’s new assistant director of player personnel is the last person to grace the cover of NCAA Football pic.twitter.com/SzzINkMH2f
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) February 24, 2022
No shade to Denard Robinson, but among all the cover athletes, he’s probably one of, if not the worst.
12) College Football 26: Ryan Williams and Jeremiah Smith
There’s a real chance the College Football 26 cover could end up being way higher if Jeremiah Smith can win the Heisman trophy. For right now, though, it still isn’t one of the all-time greats.
EA COLLEGE FOOTBALL 26 COVERS ARE HERE @EASPORTSCollege pic.twitter.com/Va1YDJ2wzl
— ESPN (@espn) May 27, 2025
Williams and Smith are fantastic players, and it’s a really cool cover. But it doesn’t quite have the nostalgia factor that some of the others on this list do.
11) NCAA Football 2001: Shaun Alexander
Shaun Alexander is featured on the NCAA 2001 cover, and it’s a pretty solid one. Alexander was great for Alabama in 1999, coming in at No. 7 in Heisman voting.
NCAA Football 2001– Cover Athlete: Alabama RB Shaun Alexander pic.twitter.com/PkTbFlYvfs
— CFB Home (@CFBHome) August 12, 2023
This cover is well made, and Alexander’s action shot makes it stand out. However, there are still some better options ahead.
10) NCAA Football 2004: Carson Palmer
The NCAA 2004 cover featured USC QB Carson Palmer, fresh off a Heisman trophy victory in 2002.
NCAA Football 2004: — Cover Athlete: USC QB Carson Palmer pic.twitter.com/oScHpVqV4k
— CFB Home (@CFBHome) August 12, 2023
This cover is both clean and cool, featuring a great athlete. That’s exactly why it makes the top 10.
9) NCAA Football 12: Mark Ingram
Mark Ingram is one of numerous cover athletes who won the Heisman and was awarded the cover for NCAA Football 12.
NCAA Football 12: — Cover Athlete: Alabama RB Mark Ingram pic.twitter.com/BiHEk04DVC
— CFB Home (@CFBHome) May 17, 2020
This cover is pretty cool, with Ingram wearing an Alabama glove and holding up a stiff arm. Still, it isn’t the best of the best.
8) NCAA Football 99: Charles Woodson
Charles Woodson is one of the most iconic college football players of all time, and he was named the cover athlete for NCAA 99.
NCAA Football 99 — Cover Athlete: Michigan DB Charles Woodson pic.twitter.com/VyJUfkIYQC
— CFB Home (@CFBHome) May 17, 2020
While Woodson himself is probably a top-three cover athlete, the NCAA 99 cover is kind of bland. That’s the reason it’s not ranked higher.
7) NCAA Football 2005: Larry Fitzgerald
There’s no secret that WR Larry Fitzgerald was a legend at Pittsburgh. He finished second in Heisman voting in 2003 and would be drafted third overall in 2004.
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05 Cover Athlete Larry Fitzgerald#CFB25 pic.twitter.com/InKNKSU0zh
— $ I L K (@SilkVybz) July 15, 2024
He’s one of four receivers to be featured on a cover, making it even more special. The action shot of him looking the ball in on the cover also makes this one of the best of all time.
6) NCAA Football 13: Robert Griffin III and Barry Sanders
Not only was RG3 fresh off a Heisman trophy victory when he was named the cover athlete for NCAA 13, but EA also put Barry Sanders on it for the “Heisman Edition” game.
NCAA Football 13: — Cover Athlete: Baylor QB Robert Griffin III pic.twitter.com/bufCGadMcA
— CFB Home (@CFBHome) May 17, 2020
Having two Heisman winners on one cover is special, and this one easily earns its spot in the top 10.
5) NCAA Football 06: Desmond Howard
While Howard left Michigan in 1991, EA featured him on the cover of NCAA 06 as part of their new “Race for the Heisman” mode.
This Throwback Thursday takes a look at NCAA Football 06. Featuring Desmond Howard on the cover, the game included Race for the Heisman mode, the addition of Impact Players, and licensed songs in the menus.
Who else spent a lot of time playing #NCAA06? #TBT pic.twitter.com/ADSS84qAec
— The Gaming Tailgate (@gamingtailgate) July 27, 2023
This cover pays homage to Howard’s legendary 1991 season, which ended with him winning the Heisman trophy as one of the most skilled and athletic college football players of all time. The cover features Howard hitting his signature Heisman pose.
4) College Football USA 97: Tommie Frazier
Before NCAA Football, there was one season of College Football USA in 1997, when EA featured Tommie Frazier as the first player to appear on a college football video game cover.
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Not only is this cover iconic, but it’s also really clean and has great design. Plus, Frazier is a legendary player.
Most appearances for the NCAA Video Game Cover by school: Michigan (3), USC (3), Florida (2), Texas (2)
A Thread on all the covers. At the end tell me your favorite cover.(1/19)
The Orginal CFB Game
College Football USA 97: Nebraska QB Tommie Frazier pic.twitter.com/RUSnRV6gKP
— CFB Home (@CFBHome) August 12, 2023
3) NCAA Football 07: Reggie Bush
NCAA Football 07 is considered one of the best college football games ever. It also has a pretty sweet cover featuring the legendary Reggie Bush.
It’s crazy to think that at the time, it was common practice for EA to use players’ photos only if they had moved on to the NFL.
Those same people who used Reggie for sales, won’t even restore his stats to help get his Heisman back… pic.twitter.com/vROnCAVH0U
— Trojan Football ᶠᵃⁿ (@TrojanFBx) February 23, 2024
This cover is truly iconic and one of EA’s best designs, featuring one of the best college football players ever.
2) NCAA Football 2000: Ricky Williams
NCAA 2000’s cover features the legendary Ricky Williams, who is widely regarded as one of the best college football running backs ever.
NCAA Football 2000 — Cover Athlete: Texas RB Ricky Williams pic.twitter.com/QnpYSV9DeL
— CFB Home (@CFBHome) August 12, 2023
What makes this cover stand out against the rest is Williams plowing a Texas A&M defender into the ground in an elite action shot.
1) NCAA Football 11: Tim Tebow
Coming in at No. 1 is NCAA Football 11, with the legendary Tim Tebow featured on the cover.
NCAA Football 11: — Cover Athlete: Florida QB Tim Tebow pic.twitter.com/yw5c3mqF4W
— CFB Home (@CFBHome) May 17, 2020
This cover is truly iconic, and the photo of Tebow on it is truly electric. While all the college football video games have been great, there’s no better cover than this one.
