EA Sports College Football 26 cover showcases superstar WRs Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Williams

New York Times

6 days ago

Is there a world in which the two most talented receivers in college football could have played on the same team? Alabama's Ryan Williams says he tried to make it happen.
Williams and Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith crossed paths during their recruiting process, including at a Georgia event, they both said. It was there that Williams broached the idea of the two five-star prospects joining forces.
Advertisement
'I tried to get him,' Williams told The Athletic. 'I was like, c'mon, let's team up. He was like, hmm. We thought about it.'
'It would've been crazy,' Smith said. 'I don't know how you stop that.'
'You can't,' Williams replied.
The duo don't share the same uniform, but they will share the cover of EA Sports College Football 26, which was revealed on Tuesday. Smith and Williams are alone on the standard edition of the cover, while the Deluxe Edition includes more than 20 current players, former players and coaches. College Football 26 will be released on July 10, EA also announced Tuesday.
The Deluxe Edition cover matches the photos leaked from a shoot at the Rose Bowl earlier this spring. Other cover stars include Penn State running back Nick Singleton, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Michigan true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart, Penn State coach James Franklin, Georgia coach Kirby Smart, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, Oregon coach Dan Lanning, ASU coach Kenny Dillingham, Ohio State coach Ryan Day and former cover stars Reggie Bush, Tim Tebow and Denard Robinson.
The game's details will be fully revealed on Thursday. Smith and Williams don't know their rating in the game yet, though both feel they should be at least a 95 overall. Both received ratings boosts as their freshman seasons played out. Smith began as an 84 overall but was elevated to a 90. Williams began as an 82 and was elevated to a 90 overall, with a 96 speed, 99 agility and 98 acceleration.
So The Athletic asked both Smith and Williams which real-life, on-field skill of the other they would like to have.
Advertisement
'That speed,' Smith said of Williams. 'His speed is different. I've got a little speed, but I'd take his speed for sure. I need that.'
What would Williams like from Smith? 'He's a big dog,' Williams said. 'I wish my hands were bigger. If I had his hands, oh my goodness, it'd be crazy.'
Smith and Williams have developed an unlikely friendship for two players who didn't play against each other much at camps and don't play in the same conference. But they've seen each other's highlights and the comparisons others make about them. The video game cover shoot was another chance to come together.
The two text after big games; Smith texted Williams after the latter's acrobatic game-winning touchdown in Alabama's win against Georgia last September. Williams' favorite catch by Smith was his one-handed touchdown against Iowa.
'Iron sharpens iron,' Williams said. 'We're at two very prestigious programs and want each other to succeed. We met during recruiting and worked out together. Seeing another guy like myself that's just about the work and wants to win — and he did win — all I can do is pay my respects and be excited for him.'
Smith and Williams were in the unique position last year of being among the best players in the country as true freshmen. They're required to spend at least two more years in college football before becoming draft-eligible. It's an NFL rule that was unsuccessfully challenged two decades ago by Maurice Clarett and Mike Williams.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler said in December that Smith would've competed with Travis Hunter as the top non-quarterback selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, if he were eligible. Hunter was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the No. 2 pick.
If he were eligible, Jeremiah Smith would be competing with Hunter to be the first non-QB drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. https://t.co/gRt8avvPF8
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) December 22, 2024
The idea of a college player sitting out a full season to avoid injury has been talked about for more than a decade. Former South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said some people advised pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney to do it in 2013, but Clowney played his third college season before going No. 1 to the Texans the following spring. LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase did sit out the 2020 season before being selected fifth overall, though that was a unique situation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Advertisement
Asked if there was any chance they wouldn't play out their next two years before becoming NFL Draft eligible, Smith and Williams said they're planning to follow the normal path and stick to college. That also could mean they become multi-time video game cover athletes.
'I'm enjoying college,' Smith said. 'I'm in no rush to go to the NFL.'
(Cover art courtesy of EA Sports)