EA College Football 25 is the early frontrunner to be considered the very best sports game of 2024. What makes it so good? Well, College Football 25 offers a Dynasty mode with unputdownable recruiting options, a huge team list, and loads of gameplay fun out on the turf. Don't believe us? Scroll on to watch the EA College Football 25 trailer, read all about those elite teams, and find links to a suite of essential tips. Everything you need is here in your EA College Football 25 guide.
College Football 25 trailer
The first EA College Football 25 trailer offers a glimpse at all the intricacies on offer in the series' return, such as lifelike mascots, jerseys, locker rooms, and stadiums. It also confirmed the first four teams: Michigan, Georgia, Florida and Alabama. Hit the image above to give it a watch.
EA College Football 25 reveal trailer
May 2024 brought a closer look by way of the EA College Football 25 reveal trailer, with plenty of in-game action and atmospheric close-ups. Once again, whack that button above to enjoy it yourself.
EA College Football 25 release date confirmation
The EA College Football 25 release date was July 19, 2024. As with most EA releases, one of the pre-order incentives was getting to play it three days early. That meant those who purchased ahead of release were able to dive on on July 16, 2024. On the subject of pre-ordering…
EA College Football 25 pre-order bonuses
There are three different editions of EA College Football 25, each with specific pre-order bonuses. Here's what was included with each one. Note that the MVP Bundle also includes Madden 25, which came out on August 16, 2024.
EA College Football 25 Standard Edition
- Alma Mater Ultimate Team Pack (Choice of 1 player item out of 134)
- Cover Athlete Ultimate Team Pack (Choice of 1 player item out of 3)
- Bring Glory Home Ultimate Team Uniform Item
EA College Football 25 Deluxe Edition
- Heisman Hopeful Ultimate Team Pack (Choice of 1 player item out of 5) [if ordered by June 27]
- 3 Day Early Access (July 16-18)
- 4600 College Football Points
- Alma Mater Ultimate Team Pack (Choice of 1 player item out of 134)
- Cover Athlete Ultimate Team Pack (Choice of 1 player item out of 3)
- Bring Glory Home Ultimate Team Uniform Item
Madden NFL 25 & EA College Football 25 MVP Bundle
- Madden NFL 25 Deluxe Edition
- 3 Day Early Access
- 4600 Madden Points
- Early Access Ultimate Teamm Challenges
- AKA Player Item
- Cover Athlete Elite Player Item
- Elite Player Item
- Choice of 2 Strategy Items
- Superstar Drip Gear
- Legendary XP Boost
- EA College Football 25 Deluxe Edition
- 3 Day Early Access
- 4600 College Football Points
- Alma Mater Ultimate Team Pack (Choice of 1 player item out of 134)
- Cover Athlete Ultimate Team Pack (Choice of 1 player item out of 3)
- Heisman Hopeful Ultimate Team Pack (Choice of 1 player item out of 5)
- Bring Glory Home Ultimate Team Uniform Item
NCAA Football 25 vs EA College Football 25
Is EA College Football 25 just NCAA Football 25 under a different name? Kind of, although there's a key legal difference. The National Collegiate Athletic Association were accused of failing to compensate its players for appearing in EA's games, which led to a lawsuit from some of the players in question – and the end of that series with NCAA Football 14. As a result, this is indeed considered the 21st game in EA's non-NFL football series – but it no longer bears the NCAA name.
EA College Football 25 real players
Given the lawsuit mentioned above, EA has been super careful when securing College Football 25 real players. Those who agreed to be included receive a $600 flat payment and a copy of the game, in reward for their likeness being used. The good news is that this strategy has worked, and more than 11,000 college athletes are present and correct. Archie Manning is one of them, despite rumors to the contrary. Wondering who tops the EA College Football 25 player ratings? Hit our College Football 25 best players guide to find out.
EA College Football 25 team ratings
All 134 Football Bowl Subdivision teams feature in College Football 25. That means newer additions to the association, such as the James Madison Dukes and Jacksonville State Gamecocks, are playable for the first time ever in an EA game. But how does that play out in terms of College Football 25 ratings? Great question. Below are the default top ten rosters – and you can see a longer list in our EA College Football 25 best teams guide.
- 1. Georgia: 95 OVR – OFF 94, DEF 94
- 2. Ohio State: 93 OVR – OFF 89, DEF 96
- 3. Oregon: 93 OVR – OFF 94, DEF 90
- 4. Alabama: 92 OVR – OFF 91, DEF 90
- 5. Texas: 92 OVR – OFF 91, DEF 88
- 6. Clemson: 90 OVR – OFF 87, DEF 90
- 7. Notre Dame: 90 OVR – OFF 85, DEF 90
- 8. LSU: 90 OVR – OFF 89, DEF 84
- 9. Florida State: 90 OVR – OFF 85, DEF 90
- 10. Penn State: 88 OVR – OFF 87, DEF 88
EA College Football 25 Dynasty mode
The return of Dynasty mode is a huge boost – it's why many proclaimed NCAA stronger than Madden. One of the key differences is recruiting. Instead of wheeling and dealing, players have to be scouted and approached while in high school, playing the strengths and weaknesses of your college off against those of rival programs.
Recruiting is now split into three phases: Discovery, Pitch and Close. In Discovery, you uncover details on your targeted prospects, such as their skills, and whether they're a good fit for your program. At the end of this process each player reveals their top five schools, and you move into the Pitch phase – selling your college to them, in the hope that it tempts them to join. Last up, in Close, it's time to host official visits, before seeing how well your targeting has gone on National Signing Day. It's unbelievably addictive – and you can get good at it fast with GR's College Football 25 recruiting guide.
Another important element of Dynasty mode is Redshirting, whereby you can sit a player for a year in order to keep them for five seasons rather than four. Find out how to do so using our College Football 25 redshirt guide.
EA College Football 25 vs Madden 25
Is EA College Football 25 just a reskinned version of Madden 25? Nope! While the game is based on the same engine, it's exclusive to PS5 and XBox Series X, and places a huge focus on a feature called CampusIQ. This sees player ratings change in-game, a dynamic wear and tear system, and various clever ways of implementing home-team advantage. That can make it tough to win road games, with field goals especially difficult to nail. Improve your skills with our College Football 25 tips collection.
EA College Football 25 NCFAA awards
One key difference from the classic series is that you can't win NCFAA awards, such as the Ray Guy. These are the trophies dished out at the end of each season to the best players in collegiate football. "The offer that has been made is not adequate for the rights fee for the awards," president Mark Wolpert told On3. Apparently the figure presented by EA was "a "nominal increase based on the 2014 number".
Instead, EA College Football 25 awards are fictional. However, the Heisman Trophy does feature. That's because it's operated by a different organization to the NCFAA – the Heisman Trust.
More EA College Football 25 guide help
Our EA College Football 25 guide help doesn't end here. As well as the links above, we also have a scouting report on the College Football 25 best playbooks to assist on both offense and defense. College Football 25 sliders enable you make gameplay more realistic in an assortment of ways, while College Football 25 abilities are the varsity equivalent of Madden 24 X-Factors. And for extra special first downs, interceptions and touchdowns, you need GR's College Football 25 celebrations guide.
