To the national champions go the spoils, as three Buckeyes may be featured on the next EA Sports College Football video game cover.
Per On3, Ohio State wideout Jeremiah Smith, safety Caleb Downs and head coach Ryan Day flew to the Rose Bowl for a photoshoot with EA Sports for the upcoming EA Sports College Football 26 video game.
Those three were joined by various coaches and players around the country, including Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood, Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt and South Carolina defensive end Dylan Stewart.
Among the coaches joining Day were Georgia's Kirby Smart, Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin, Penn State's James Franklin, Oregon's Dan Lanning and Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham. Last summer's version of the game didn't include real head coaches (only fictional coaches), so this seems to indicate the game is taking steps to include real-life coaches in this summer's edition.
A preview cover for the deluxe edition of the game has already surfaced on the interwebs, featuring Smith front and center.
An early look at the EA College Football 26 Deluxe Edition Cover
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) March 13, 2025
The cover consists of players such as DJ Lagway, Ryan Williams, Jeremiah Smith, True Freshman Bryce Underwood + more
Also features a few head coaches and mascots
(via tubbycfb/IG) pic.twitter.com/kE9TtniEk8
Per On3, EA Sports plans to release multiple covers of the game, including a coaches' cover and a legends cover that features former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson.
Last summer was the first college football video game released in 11 years, which brought major success considering an estimated 6.5 million unique players played the game and it generated more than $400 million in sales.
EA Sports College Football 26 does not have an official release date as of yet but if past history is any indication, it'll likely be out at some point in mid-July.
Meanwhile, Smith, Downs, Day and the rest of the Buckeyes begin spring practice on Monday as Ohio State prepares its title defense for the 2025 season.
