College Football 26/skill points CFB26

College Football 26 Video Game: Most Exciting New Players You Need to Watch

ByKhris Brayton

College Football seasons are on the horizon, and teams are beginning to start their summer regimens. That means that College Football 26 will also be preparing the game, with EA Sports ready to release the newest addition in July. Given that the game is a simulation of real life, players who are just joining their new squads will be featured as new elements from the College Football 25 edition. From freshman looking to make their mark, and portal transfers ready to establish themselves as premier talents for their new teams, there will be plenty of excitement for many college football fans playing the game as their favorite teams.

College Football 26 Brings Thrilling New Stars To Play With

Image of College Football 26, courtesy of EA Sports.
Image of College Football 26, courtesy of EA Sports.

Part of every new season of college football is fans getting to watch the new recruits begin to show what they can provide for their new squad. Oftentimes, freshman coming from high school have to work their way into a starting, star role, but transfers can make a huge impact immediately. In either case, the fresh class comes in and invigorates a passionate fan base, and has them hopeful for the future. With College Football 26, fans can not only watch these football players, but play as them too. So, who are the five players coming to new teams in CFB 26 that fans should be most thrilled to watch and play as?

5. Carson Beck (QB, Miami)

Carson Beck is hoping to follow in Cam Ward’s footsteps in 2025. Beck is coming from a top-tier team in Georgia, but the depth of the team’s quarterback room is enough for Beck to have been challenged, whereas he is the clear starter on a team that has already had great success with a transfer quarterback. That said, what Beck brings is very different from Ward, in that his main strengths are accuracy and arm strength, even on the move, but he needs some work on deep ball accuracy. Still, Beck has a real opportunity at a Heisman, and College Football 26 fans should enjoy running the Miami offense through his talent.

4. Kaliq Lockett (WR, Texas)

Not only is Kaliq Lockett one of the highest-rated wide receivers in this year’s freshman class, but he has a wide open path to an immediate starting role, thanks to the Longhorns losing many players to last year’s draft. He has a great deal of talent and potential and could become a top target in real life. For the gaming community, what places him on this list is his incredible hands. Fans of College Football 26 will be thrilled by his ability to come down with nearly any catch thrown his way, which can easily bail out a quarterback trying to make a play.

3. Devin Sanchez (CB, Ohio State)

Devin Sanchez joins a long legacy of success for the Buckeyes. The defending champs grabbed Sanchez, not only one of the best CBs in the class, but one of the best defensive players in general. His speed, instincts, and ability to close already have some believing he is a clear first-round talent and possibly the best defensive player in the country. While we won’t put that level of pressure on a freshman this quickly, there is no doubt that his electrifying play style should have fans of College Football 26 eyes pop when they get a look at him virtually.

2. Nico Iamaleava (QB, UCLA)

Nico Iamaleava shocked the nation when he announced he was leaving Tennessee to enter the transfer portal. Iamaleava is a talent that did not get to show his full potential in an inconsistent Volunteers offense last season, and now hopes to become a top QB talent for UCLA. At his best, he his a dual-threat quarterback, with a strong arm that is accurate on deep throws, and legs that can keep defenses honest and keep the chains moving. That type of talent is set up for success, not just in real life, but in the video game world. College Football 26 players will have a blast with his skills.

1. Dakorien Moore (WR, Oregon)

The Oregon Ducks have established themselves as quite an offensive juggernaut in NCAA Football, and that should continue in College Football 26. They have a new quarterback coming in, but that could bode well for Moore as they develop chemistry together. Moore is not just the best wide receiver in the class, but one of the best prospects in years, ranking 4th overall, the highest of any wide receiver since 2020. At his best, Moore has the potential to put up 2024 Jeremiah Smith-like numbers. That should bring any gaming fan some sheer thrill and engagement.

Final Thoughts

EA Sports has hit a gold mine by bringing back their College Football franchise, and College Football 26 is shaping up to be another real success story. With the transfer portal in play, there are far more opportunities for skilled players to come out from the shadows and show their full potential. That is exciting for video game players because it gives them a chance to play as good players on new teams, almost like the professional sports leagues. Add in an electric freshman class, and you have a true recipe for great gaming. College Football 26 will release for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series on July 10, with the MVP bundle granting early access on July 7.

Khris is the Gaming Site Manager for Total Apex Media, and a contributor to multiple other pages. He gives insight across many genres, particularly Gaming, Entertainment, News, and Sports. He is an avid gamer and serves as a moderator for online gaming servers. He has previously written as a fan for sports blogs on SBNation, including Over The Monster and McCovey Chronicles, giving his proposals and opinions on the direction of the teams. He is also a contributor at FanSided's Surviving Tribal, where he considers himself a reality TV superfan, and at Stadium Rant, specialising in the MLB. In his spare time, Khris enjoys camping and hiking in nature, taking nature photography, playing board games and video games, and both playing and watching sports; he also considers himself an ace mini-golfer.

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