The hype surrounding EA Sports release of "College Football 25" has been electric. Fans around the country have been playing the last iteration for over a decade because of the love lost for EA Sports' Madden Franchise. On Monday, the trailer, release date, and cover were revealed to the public.
The sports video game giant stopped production the game — then called NCAA Football — in 2013 after a lawsuit centered around the name, image, and likeness of the players in the game. Since the Supreme Courts ruling in 2021, NIL has ruled college athletics, opening the door for a college football game to return after 11 years.
But what about all those years missed between 2013 and 2024? Fans have pondered who would've been on the cover each year. And since Darren McFadden graced the cover of the 2009 edition, I've always wondered which Razorback would be honored if there was an "Arkansas edition" of the game. Here's who I think would've been on the cover.
The rules used to be a player moving onto the NFL could be on the cover, but NIL no longer makes that necessary. I will also not make that distinction. Also keep in mind that the player on the cover would be from the season prior to the release date of the game. For example, Dennard Robinson was the last cover athlete for NCAA football 14 but stopped playing in 2012.
2015-25 NCAA College Football Covers: Arkansas Edition
2015: Alex Collins
Collins was a true freshman in 2013 and rushed for 1,026 yards for four touchdowns on an squad that only produced 4,286 yards total offense. He was named SEC Freshman of the Year, to the All-SEC Freshman team, and was Freshman All-American.
He began his career at Arkansas with three 100-yard rushing games in a row, becoming the first SEC Freshman to do so, and the first since Adrian Peterson in 2004. He went on to play two more years for the Razorbacks before being drafted by the Seahawks in the 2016 NFL draft.
Here's what the University's website says about Collins' career:
"Played in 38 games with 14 starts … Totaled 3,703 yards rushing and 36 touchdowns on 271 carries … Became only the third player in SEC history to open his career with three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons on ground, joining former Razorback Darren McFadden and Georgia great Herschel Walker on the esteemed list … Finished career as the SEC’s active leader in career yards rushing … Added 27 receptions for 167 yards … Increased rushing production in each of his three seasons … Ranks second all-time in program history in career yards rushing (3,703), 100-yard games (17) and is fourth in touchdowns rushing (36) … Became the 14th player in SEC history to amass more than 3,500 career yards rushing … Scored 32 touchdowns rushing during his last 26 games compared to four over his first 12 career contests … Logged a touchdown rushing in 15 of his last 20 games … Reached 500 yards rushing before his 90th carry in each of his three seasons … In 11 career games in September, averaged 124.5 yard rushing per contest thanks to eight 100-yard performances."