EA Sports reveals Top 25 player ratings of the Big Ten in College Football 25

Ratings are streaming out for next week’s highly-anticipated release of the EA Sports College Football 25 video game. And there’s a cadre of Big Ten players with elite ratings.

Naturally, Michigan and Ohio State lead the way for the league, but the likes of Penn State, Iowa and newcomers USC and Oregon are well represented. And the league also features one of the highest-rated players in the entire game in Michigan cornerback Will Johnson.

Check out the full slate of top-rated Big Ten players in the new EA game below.

1. Will Johnson, Michigan, CB — 96 OVR

One of the top corners in college football, Johnson is tied for the highest overall rating in the game. A lockdown corner with size, speed and a knack for the finer points of the position makes Johnson one of the top players in college football and College Football 25.

Plus, the junior defensive back is widely expected to be selected in the Top 10 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

2. Caleb Downs, Ohio State, S — 95 OVR

Defensive backs lead the way for the league, with Downs just a point behind Johnson in overall rating. And only a sophomore in 2024, Downs has even more room to improve his play.

A freshman All-American at Alabama in 2023, Downs transferred to Ohio State after Nick Saban retired and the Buckeyes hope he can be a difference-maker playing over the top of the defense in 2024.

3. Mason Graham, Michigan, DL — 95 OVR

Graham has been a dominant presence on the interior of Michigan’s defensive line for the past two seasons. And the junior is getting his recognition with one of the highest ratings of any player in the Big Ten.

Much like his fellow Wolverine junior in Johnson, Graham is expected to be a 1st round pick in the 2025 Draft, assuming he declares.

4. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State, RB — 95 OVR

The top two players for the Buckeyes were both SEC transfers, as Judkins, a former Ole Miss running back, earns the highest rating in the Buckeye backfield (more on his partner in a bit).

A punishing runner with his blend of power and speed, Judkins shone as a freshman in 2022 and struggled to stay as hot in 2023. Still, he’s one of the best tailbacks in the country and could help catapult the Ohio State offense to even higher heights.

5. Jay Higgins, Iowa, LB — 94 OVR

The Iowa players to crack the Top 25 in the league were always likely to be defenders, and that’s the case for Higgins, one of the best linebackers in the country and the top rated one in the league, according to EA Sports.

Higgins doesn’t make a plethora of highlight-reel plays, but he’s one of the best players on what should be one of the best defenses in college football, anchoring things in the middle.

6. Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota, OT — 93 OVR

Ersery is, simply, massive, at 6-foot-6 and 331 pounds. And he pairs his elite size with some top level movement skills, solidifying him as the top tackle in the league.

He’s still coming along as a pass protector, but the way Ersery can move, displace blockers, and finish plays in the run game is already impressive enough.

7. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State, WR — 93 OVR

Egbuka bided his time in Columbus behind some extremely talented wideouts, and now it’s his turn as the top target. He’s not quite as hyped as Marvin Harrison Jr. was, but Egbuka was a talented five-star prospect for a reason.

And somewhat like Harrison, there’s not much that Egbuka can’t do for the Buckeyes from the receiver position. In whatever role and route share that Egbuka takes up, he’s likely to be the top target for the Ohio State offense that expects to be as potent as ever.

8. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State, RB — 93 OVR

Few, if any, backfields in the country possess the talent that Ohio State does with the Judkins-Henderson 1-2 punch. The problem for Henderson in recent seasons, though, has been health.

If he can avoid getting dinged up, Henderson can be as devastating as weapon out of the backfield as any. And he and Judkins can give defenses headaches all season long.

9. Colston Loveland, Michigan, TE — 92 OVR

Loveland, potentially the top tight end availablein the 2025 NFL Draft, has uncommon fluidity and agility for his size. And his movement ability shows up as a route runner and after the catch.

Given the dearth of very experienced receivers, Loveland projects to be the top target in the Michigan offense and could potentially have a monster season in 2024.

10. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, QB — 92 OVR

Along with being one of the highest-rated quarterbacks in the game, Gabriel is the top-rated passer in the Big Ten according to EA Sports. It’s not a hard sell, given Gabriel’s track record of production and experience.

At his two previous stops, Gabriel played plenty and produced at a high level. The presumption is that he can step into the Oregon offense and produce once again, especially given the talent around him.

Top Big Ten player ratings No. 11 through 25

11. Jack Sawyer, Ohio State, EDGE — 92 OVR
12. Jonah Monheim, USC, C — 92 OVR
13. Sebastian Castro, Iowa, S — 92 OVR
14. Abdul Carter, Penn State, EDGE — 91 OVR
15. Denzel Burke, Ohio State, CB — 91 OVR
16. Donovan Jackson, Ohio State, OG — 91 OVR
17. Donovan Edwards, Michigan, RB — 91 OVR
18. Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon, CB — 91 OVR
19. Kenneth Grant, Michigan, DL — 91 OVR
20. Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State, S — 91 OVR
21. Nick Singleton, Penn State, RB — 91 OVR
22. Ricardo Hallman, Wisconsin, CB — 91 OVR
23. Tez Johnson, Oregon, WR — 91 OVR
24. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State, DL — 91 OVR
25. Dillon Thieneman, Purdue, S — 90 OVR

Six other Big Ten players were rated 90 OVR but didn’t crack the Top 25: Oregon wideout Evan Stewart, Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler, Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr., Rutgers tailback Kyle Monangai, Iowa linebacker Nick Jackson and his teammate, safety Xavier Nwankpa.