Pair of Buckeyes among top-10 highest-ranked players in new college football video game

COLUMBUS — College Football 25 is set to release next week; Ohio State fans have been waiting more than 10 years to play a game as the Buckeyes again.

The wait is almost over, and the anticipation is building.

EA Sports released the top 10 players in the new video game on Wednesday morning, and a pair of Buckeyes newcomers are among the best players in the game.

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who had 107 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, four pass break-ups and one forced fumble for the Crimson Tide last fall on his way to a Freshman All-American designation and national recognition as one of the premier safeties in college football, is the fifth highest-ranked player in the game. He checks in with a 95 overall ranking, just one point behind the highest-ranked players in the game.

Downs will be a massive part of the defensive equation, starting for the Buckeyes right away.

And on the other side of the ball, star tailback and former All-SEC tailback Quinshon Judkins is also a 95 overall.

Judkins surprisingly entered the portal after another strong season with the Rebels. He ran for 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2023. He was also a weapon out of the backfield, catching 22 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns. That came on the heels of a freshman season that put him on the radar of just about every college football fan nationally. As a true freshman, Judkins ran for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The pair also make up one of the top rankings pairings in the country, matched by Michigan cornerback Will Johnson (a 96 overall) and defensive tackle Mason Graham (a 95 overall ranking).

Other Buckeyes rankings include players with a 93 overall: senior wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and running back TreVeyon Henderson. Defensive end Jack Sawyer is a 92 overall, while guard Donovan Jackson, cornerback Denzel Burke and defensive tackle Tyleik Williams are all 91 overall.