EA Sports releases top QBs in CFB25: Did they get the top 8 right? (2024)

After months of anticipation, the ratings are finally in. EA Sports released the list of the top 100 rated players in College Football 25 on Wednesday, and now we finally know who’s the No. 1 quarterback in the highly anticipated game. You’ve probably heard of him.

Although these ratings are subject to change and will be updated during the 2024 season, it’s still interesting to see how EA assessed and graded the crop of returning QBs across the country ahead of the first college football video game release in more than a decade.

Eight quarterbacks were included in the initial top 100, and not one earned an overall rating higher than 93. That’s a bit of a departure from NCAA Football 14, which featured 17 quarterbacks rated 90 overall or better, led by Texas A&M’s reigning Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel (97) and Alabama’s A.J. McCarron (97).

Here’s a quick breakdown of who will be the highest-rated QBs in “CFB 25” when the game drops on July 19.

1. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Rating: 93 overall

There’s no bigger celebrity player in the sport than Sanders, and his Buffaloes are guaranteed to be among the most-used teams in this game. Coach Prime’s son made a big impression in his first season at the FBS level with 3,230 passing yards, 31 total TDs and three interceptions while playing under a ton of pressure. He gets to throw to two-way superstar Travis Hunter, the highest-rated wide receiver in the game, and he even got his “Show The Ice” watch celebration in the game.

2. Carson Beck, Georgia

Rating: 93 overall

After throwing for 3,941 yards with 28 total TDs and six interceptions in his first season as a starter and finishing No. 2 in the SEC in total offense, Beck opted to stay in school and chase one more national championship ring. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior waited until his fourth year in the program to become QB1, a rarity in this era of college football, and has a shot to become a first-round pick with another strong season. Beck is also the current preseason Heisman Trophy frontrunner according to BetMGM odds. Five of his teammates are among the top 100 players in the game, including offensive linemen Tate Ratledge (95 overall) and Dylan Fairchild (91) and tight end Oscar Delp (90).

3. Quinn Ewers, Texas

Rating: 92 overall

Ewers, one of three players on the cover of CFB25, is back for his third season as the Longhorns’ starter and is coming off a breakthrough sophom*ore season in which he threw for 3,479 yards with 27 total touchdowns and six interceptions and led his squad to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff semifinal. We got a good look at Ewers in action on Monday in a gameplay video against Michigan and saw he got a 90 rating for his ability to throw under pressure and a pretty generous speed rating of 81, along with the Field General ability, which helps identify pre-snap tells from the defense. He also has a left tackle in Kelvin Banks Jr. who’s one of the best players in the game, a 94 overall.

4. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

Rating: 92 overall

The 49-game starter has put together one heck of a career resume in his time at UCF and Oklahoma and is already among the top 10 in NCAA history in passing yards (14,865) and total touchdowns (152). Now he’s looking to chase a national title with Oregon. The Ducks are sure to be one of the most popular teams in CFB25 with their limitless uniform options and loaded roster that has four more top-100 players, including wideouts Tez Johnson (91 overall) and Evan Stewart (90).

5. Jalen Milroe, Alabama

Rating: 90 overall

Milroe is sure to be a fan favorite among gamers as one of the fastest QBs in the country with his 91 speed rating and 93 acceleration. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound junior rushed for 818 yards (excluding sacks) and 12 touchdowns in his first season as Alabama’s starter and threw for 2,834 yards and 23 more scores while leading the Tide to an SEC title game upset of Georgia and a trip to the Rose Bowl. His arm and scrambling ability will make him incredibly fun to play, and he’s playing behind a stout offensive line with Parker Brailsford (92 overall), Tyler Booker (91) and Jaeden Roberts (91) all ranking among the top 100 players in the game.

6. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

Rating: 90 overall

The former USC transfer is entering his third year as the Rebels’ starter and seriously raised his game in 2023, throwing for 3,364 yards and scoring 31 TDs with just five interceptions for an Ole Miss squad that won 11 games and the Peach Bowl. The combination of Dart, his many playmakers (Tre Harris, Juice Wells, Caden Prieskorn) and Lane Kiffin’s playbook should make the Rebels an awful lot of fun to use this game.

7. Jalon Daniels, Kansas

Rating: 90 overall

When he’s healthy, Daniels is one of the most electric playmakers in college football. The 6-foot, 220-pound junior has helped Lance Leipold pull off a remarkable turnaround in Lawrence and has made the Jayhawks a Big 12 contender entering 2024. Daniels was only able to play in three games last season before being shut down with a season-ending back injury, but he’s back and hoping to be better than ever. Kansas will be a sneaky fun offense to use in the game with Daniels’ rushing ability (88 speed, 90 acceleration) combined with an elite back in Devin Neal (92 overall) and a ton of experienced returning starters.

8. Kaidon Salter, Liberty

Rating: 90 overall

Gamers looking to make a deep College Football Playoff run with a Group of 5 program are going to have a lot of fun playing with Salter. The reigning Conference USA MVP is one of the best dual-threat playmakers in the sport and put up 2,876 passing yards plus 1,089 rushing yards and 44 touchdowns to get the Flames to the Fiesta Bowl in 2023. Salter’s rushing talents (87 speed, 92 acceleration) are put to great use in Jamey Chadwell’s option offense, and Liberty running back Quinton Cooley also made the top 100 with his 90 overall rating.

(Photo: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images)

Max Olson covers national college football for The Athletic. He previously covered the Big 12 and recruiting for ESPN.com. Follow Max on Twitter @max_olson