It’s been over a decade since college football graced our video game screens. Sure, fans get to watch their programs win and lose on Saturdays, but they have no control over the outcome.
In NCAA 14, they did. Over ten years later, that ability to determine outcomes is back in action. EA Sports College Football 25 just released on Monday and everyone is paying attention to how to win on the sticks.
In the time since we last had the greatest game to exist, the game mode “Ultimate Team,” has taken a stranglehold on the gaming community. With it, cards can be collected for usage in the game, with legends often being a fun curveball thrown into the mix.
In CFB25, legends of the past will be added to the game. And no, just because a player hasn’t transitioned to the Sunday schedule the way fans envisioned doesn’t mean they should not be remembered for their heroics in college.
Several legends have already been announced as players, including Miami linebacker Ray Lewis and Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson. Those two are stable options, but what other legends from college football could we see grace the game like they should have between the years 2014-2023?
Texans Wire chose one player from each team to be brought back to school and for you to play with in the upcoming EA Sports College Football 25. And yes, the criteria is you could not have been in the game ever before and now get to see your name on the back of the jersey.
Sorry, Aaron Rodgers and Calais Campbell.
Arizona Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 29: Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks to pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Atlanta Falcons: TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
Nov 9, 2019; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts (84) celebrates as he scores a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens: RB Derrick Henry, Alabama
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) breaks away from Clemson Tigers safety Jayron Kearse (1) to score a touchdown in the first quarter in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills: QB Josh Allen, Wyoming
Nov 11, 2017; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Wyoming Cowboys quarterback Josh Allen (17) before the game against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Carolina Panthers: LB Shaq Thompson, Washington
Sep 6, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies linebacker Shaq Thompson (7) carries the ball on offense for a 57 yard touchdown against the Eastern Washington Eagles during the first half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams, USC
(Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports)
Cincinnati Bengals: QB Joe Burrow, LSU
Sep 7, 2019; Austin, TX, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks to pass against the Texas Longhorns in the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ronald Cortes-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns: DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Sep 24, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys: WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
Oct 12, 2019; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (2) runs over Texas Longhorns defensive back Chris Brown (15) and scores a touchdown during the second half at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos: CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama
Dec 31, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the second quarter during the 2021 Cotton Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers: RB Josh Jacobs, Alabama
Alabama running back Josh Jacobs (8) celebrates sporting a touchdown against Louisville In second half action of the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday September 1, 2018.
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Houston Texans: DE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
Sep 3, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) rushes against Utah State Aggies offensive lineman Alfred Edwards (72) in the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Indianapolis Colts: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) runs with the ball during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 12, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]
Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs South Carolina Gamecocks
Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY NETWORK
Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Jan 1, 2021; New Orleans, LA, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) attempts a pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs: QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech
Nov 19, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes II (5) throws a pass against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Las Vegas Raiders: DE Maxx Crosby, Eastern Michigan
Georgia Southern quarterback Shai Werts (4) is taken down by Eastern Michigan defensive lineman Maxx Crosby (92) during the Camellia Bowl at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Georgia Southern defeated Eastern Michigan 23-21.
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Los Angeles Chargers: DB Derwin James, Florida State
Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Derwin James (3) during the second half at Camping World Stadium. Florida State Seminoles defeated the Mississippi Rebels 45-34. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Rams: WR Puka Nacua, BYU
Oct 8, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) runs the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Dolphins: WR Tyreek Hill, Oklahoma State
Dec 6, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Tyreek Hill (24) carries the ball while being pursued by Oklahoma Sooners cornerback Jordan Thomas (7) during the fourth quarter at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Vikings: WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
Jan 13, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Justin Jefferson (2) against the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff national championship game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots: DB Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Nov 12, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jabrill Peppers (5) carries the football against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa beat Michigan 14 to 13. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Saints: CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Marshon Lattimore (2) tackles Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) in the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants: DL Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
Dec 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (90) celebrates after a sack in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the ACC championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets: CB Sauce Gardner, Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Ahmad Gardner (1) celebrates a sack of Houston Cougars quarterback Clayton Tune (3) in the second quarter during the American Athletic Conference championship football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.
Houston Cougars At Cincinnati Bearcats Aac Championship Dec 4
Philadelphia Eagles: WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Jan. 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) runs for a 5-yard touchdown during the second quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Pittsburgh Steelers: EDGE T.J. Watt, Wisconsin
Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt (42) celebrates a stop during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers: WR Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Oct 13, 2018; Columbia, SC, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Donovan Wilson (6) tackles South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) during the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Seahawks: WR D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss
Sep 22, 2018; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (14) runs the ball against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the third quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Nov 11, 2017; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates a touchdown during the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee Titans: WR Calvin Rildey, Alabama
Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) carries a reception against Clemson in first half action of the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on Monday January 9, 2017.
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Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
(Matthew Dobbins-USA TODAY Sports)
