From the very start, EA Sports has made it their mission to create football games that mirror real life as closely as possible. The inaugural game with John Madden’s name on it, released in 1988, paved the way for advancements in virtual football. Players could alter the weather and audibilize at the line of scrimmage, setting the tone for what was to come in the world of digital pigskin.
Throughout the ’90s and 2000s, EA Sports continued to push the envelope with their Madden and NCAA Football franchises, implementing updates and enhancements to give gamers an authentic experience. The launch of the highly anticipated College Football 25 kept this tradition alive, prompting players to vent their frustration at their (virtual) coaches for not recruiting better kickers.
The draft engine in CFB 25 adds a layer of complexity to the game, with simulated seasons providing insights into how the 2025 NFL Draft may unfold. While the results varied in each simulation, certain players consistently emerged as first-round prospects. These top-tier talents mirrored the game’s overall rankings, influencing the mock draft engine’s decisions on player placements.
Critics have pointed out the game’s tendency to overrate quarterbacks and running backs, catering to casual fans and ramping up the excitement factor. Quarterbacks like Kaidon Salter, Jalon Daniels, Noah Fifita, and Cameron Rising are among those viewed as overrated, while talents such as Conner Weigman, Riley Leonard, Drew Allar, Miller Moss, and Graham Mertz are considered underrated by comparison.
One player who stands out as the most overrated offensive talent in the game, according to some, is Gabriel. Despite some discrepancies in player ratings, the consensus remains that seasoned veterans like Gabriel and Grayson McCall have been given slightly inflated ratings compared to their real-life counterparts, adding a competitive edge to the virtual gridiron.
In the realm of football video games, debates over player ratings and game features are par for the course. As the virtual arena continues to evolve and draw in players from all walks of life, one thing remains clear – the allure of EA Sports’ football titles lies in their unwavering commitment to creating a true-to-life experience for fans everywhere.
