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One of the timeless traditions in the world of college football comes off of the field, with fans taking matters into their own hands and getting on the sticks and playing the college football video game.
EA Sports College Football 25 made its glorious return a year ago after over a decade-long hiatus, and it was a massive success, with over $500 million in revenue reported for the game. Now, the game is returning once again this summer, with a scheduled release of July 10 for Play Station and XBOX.
Little teasers have been dropping over the past couple of months about the new game, and Tuesday brought the news of who the cover athletes will be. Unsurprisingly, Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Alabama’s Ryan Williams will be front and center for the 2026 version of the game.
Neither player was a difficult decision, as they had historic years as true freshmen in 2024. Smith was among the best receivers in the nation, hauling in 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns, breaking multiple records for the Buckeyes. Williams was also stellar last season, catching 48 passes for 865 yards and eight touchdowns.
Going forward, it’s fun to think about which Oregon Ducks could be on the cover in the future. When considering candidates, there is a tight needle to thread. You need to find someone who produces on the field and is also returning for another year in 2026. That whittles down the list quite a bit for the Ducks, but there are still some prime players who could very well be on the cover next year. Here’s our best guess as to who could earn the honor:
Dakorien Moore
Seeing a pair of sophomore receivers like Smith and Williams make the cover after historic freshmen seasons makes it pretty easy to believe that someone like Dakorien Moore could be in the same position next year should he play up to expectations in Eugene this season. Moore was the No. 1 WR in the 2025 recruiting class and is expected to be one of the top contributors for the Ducks on offense this year. It all sets up for a breakout season for Dakorien and something that could lead to a cover on CFB27.
Dante Moore
If you’re looking to thread the needle of a player with offensive production who is also returning for another season, then Dante Moore might be the best answer here. As the expected starting QB for the Ducks, Moore will have no shortage of opportunities to shine this season, with early Heisman Trophy buzz starting to generate in the offseason. With a stellar year, he could end up going to the NFL, but most expect him to return for a second year as a starter. This puts him in a prime position to be the guy on the cover next season.
Kenyon Sadiq
If you want to talk about talent and production, then Kenyon Sadiq could certainly be at the top of this list. However, there’s a pretty good chance that he doesn’t return for another year in 2026 since many NFL experts expect him to be in the mix for an early-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, should Sadiq choose to come back to Oregon for his senior season, then don’t at all be surprised to see him in the mix here.
Makhi Hughes
Much like Sadiq, Makhi Hughes is a player who could be in the mix to land a cover spot after putting up a great year in the Oregon offense. We saw, based on his production at Tulane, that he is talented enough to be one of the top RBs in the nation, and if he can do that on the Ducks’ level, then he may be a national name next year. However, he could choose to head to the NFL after his junior season and be out of the conversation for the cover spot in 2027.
Matayo Uiagalelei
It’s much harder for a defensive player to get into the mix for a cover spot, but Matayo Uiagalelei led the Big Ten in sacks a year ago, and is expected to be one of the best pass-rushers in the nation this year, making him more of a household name. As with Sadiq and Hughes, though, it feels more likely that Uiagalelei ends up going into the 2026 NFL draft than returning to Eugene for his senior season.
Dillon Thieneman
Much like Matayo Uiagaielei, it feels like a relative longshot that Dillon Thieneman returns to Oregon for his senior season, with many projecting that he could be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft. However, should he choose to stay in college for another season, don’t be surprised to see him in the mix for a cover spot, as he could be among the best safeties in the nation this year and become a household name.
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