Predicting the Top 5 South Carolina players in EA Sports College Football 25 video game

EA Sports College Football 25 is not only officially happening but as of Thursday, college football athletes including those at South Carolina are able to opt in to the game via an app.

While many on GamecockCentral may not be gamers, EA’s original college football series held an iconic place at the cross-section of gamers and college football fanatics before it was discontinued following the game’s 2023 release. It can even be argued that for many, the Madden and NCAA football video games served as their introduction to football strategies, traditions and in some cases the players themselves.

With the power of NIL now available to college athletes, virtual college football is officially back and players can who choose to appear in the game will be paid $600 and receiver a copy of the game, typically valued at $70. Up to 85 players per school will initially appear on rosters.

Below, we’ll try to predict the highest-rated Gamecocks on the initial roster.

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RB Rocket Sanders – 93

Injuries kept Sanders from having the 2023 season that he hoped but there’s not a player on the entire South Carolina offense with the credentials of Sanders.

A first-team All-SEC performer in 2022, Sanders was the workhorse in Arkansas’ offense, logging 1,443 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns to go with 28 receptions for 271 yards and two scores.

Perhaps even more important from a video game standpoint, Sanders has all the measurables in reality that will translate to the various attributes presented in the game. He’s a complete back that runs with speed, power, and make-you-miss ability — to go along with soft hands in the passing game. Sounds like a top video game ‘back to us.

S Nick Emmanwori – 91

Another athletic freak, Emmanwori is arguably the best overall pure athlete on the South Carolina roster.

The Irmo product bounced around from safety to nickel and back to safety early last season which slowed some of his production but he settled back in nicely at safety and ultimately collected 71 tackles with two interceptions.

With 156 career tackles in just two seasons, and elite speed, agility and size, Emmanwori hits the sweet spot of production plus elite attributes and will make a strong case for top South Carolina defender in the game.

LB Debo Williams – 90

Credentials, credentials, credentials… Williams earned first-team All-SEC from the AP, Phil Steele, and College Football News as well as honorable mention All-American from Steele. Additionally, he was voted internally as the team’s MVP on defense.

We’re not sure how much legwork EA will do in gathering information on the roster from inside the football facility, but they’re likely to be told Williams has emerged as a team leader and enforcer in the middle of the Carolina defense. He’s likely to rate highly in the “tackle,” “big hit” and “awareness” categories.

QB LaNorris Sellers – 88

Sellers doesn’t yet have the on-field production of anyone else on this list, but he’s got several other qualities going for him, particularly if EA goes deep enough in its roster research. One would think as the Gamecocks projected starter that the redshirt freshman will get the required ratings bump that likely reflects his ability, despite not having much experience yet.

As a dual-threat quarterback, Sellers should combine speed and power as a runner with a big arm and solid accuracy. As anyone who plays video games knows, that combination of attributes as both a runner and thrower, usually results in a video game stud.

This projection could end up being off if EA dings Sellers for his lack of experience, but South Carolina fans hoping to play with their favorite team will certainly be hoping that the production team accounts for Sellers’ upside at the most important position in the game.

DB Jalon Kilgore/DL Tonka Hemingway – 87

There were several players in consideration for this spot and ultimately we decided to not break the tie.

Kilgore emerged last season, even as a true freshman, as arguably the most consistent player on the Gamecock defense. He combines production with solid all-around attributes that should result in a strong overall rating.

Hemingway should get the veteran ratings bump with a high awareness as he’s been a consistent performer for the Gamecocks over several seasons and also finished last season as the highest-graded performer via PFF.

T.J. Sanders would have a strong case to be Carolina’s top-rated defensive tackle as well, but we suspect EA will give Hemingway the edge.

BONUS

Fastest – Nyck Harbor – speed 97

While Nick Emmanwori may have some qualms and guys like Emory Floyd and Djay Braswell may quietly have a case for consideration, there’s just no way anyone on the roster will have a higher speed rating than Harbor when the game ships this summer.

He’s got verified track times, viral videos galore, and is a known commodity for anyone who followed the recruiting world last cycle. At 6-foot-5, 242-pounds Harbor is a long-strider and a bit of a “speed builder,” which will likely be represented in his acceleration grade — but his speed should check in at 97 or higher.

Highest Rated Freshman – Dylan Stewart – 83

A five-star prospect from all four rankings sites — aka a Five-star Plus in On3 parlance — Stewart will likely be highly regarded regardless of what resources the development team uses for their rantings. The Washington, D.C. native is also considered an elite athlete, which should translate well to the video game world. Going through spring practice shouldn’t hurt his case either.

Stewart finished the 2024 cycle ranked No. 17 in the country. In the past games, the absolute top freshmen typically checked in at around an 85 rating. While that’s likely reserved for prospects like Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, Georgia’s Ellis Robinson IV, Florida’s D.J. Lagway, and Auburn’s Cam Coleman, we used 85 as the baseline and then subtracted a couple of ratings points to project Stewart.

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