The Texas Longhorns in EA Sports College Football 25 mirror Steve Sarkisian's real life program
EA Sports College Football 25 has been out for a few days now and it’s no secret that Texas has one of the better rosters on the game, mirroring one of the most talented rosters in real life.
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Here a few days after the release, one of the most common statements made about the game is that Isaiah Bond and Amari Niblack are both cheat codes. They’re pretty much unguardable in the game and Texas fans hope the same holds true in real life.
Before diving into the roster, let’s start with the playbook. I can tell the creators of the game really studied Steve Sarkisian’s offense and tried to implement similar RPO plays and formations Texas uses in reality. The details are amazing and just like Sark, you can keep your opponents off balance and guessing the entire game.
Starting at QB, Quinn Ewers is able to make pretty much every single throw in the game. He can complete off-platform throws, back shoulder fades, and can also pick up yards with his feet. Arch Manning has all the traits of a starter and when you put him in a game, he comes right in and performs without missing a beat. Manning can make every throw and is excellent in the RPO game as he can pull the ball and go 60 yards.
Let’s talk about our running backs. Cedric Baxter and Jaydon Blue are thunder and lightning. Just like in real life, Baxter will beat up teams up between the tackles with the ability to take it to the house while Blue can score from anywhere on the field and be used in multiple ways. If you give him a crease or don’t contain the edge, you might as well strike up the band.
Receivers have so much speed and versatility, but Isaiah Bond is unguardable in 1-on-1 situations as he can run by everybody. Silas Bolden is a Swiss Army Knife who is dangerous with the ball in his hands on screens, jet sweeps, or just simply running by someone. Matthew Golden wins the majority of 50-50 balls when thrown to him. Ryan Wingo and Johntay Cook can sub and play any spot behind those 3 and produce in all sorts of ways.
Amari Niblack is too fast for LBs and too big for safeties. Sark should be able to dial it up and have the capability to use him as a primary target this season. Gunnar Helm is who is he in real life. He’s a solid all-around TE who gets the job done.
The OL dominates the trenches. Ewers doesn’t have to worry about his blindside with Kelvin Banks at LT and you can choose to run behind any of the five and you’ll have success.
The interior DL is solid, but the EDGEs are phenomenal. They get home with ease. As we heard in the Spring about Trey Moore giving folks trouble, he does the same in the game. The best video game lineup is having Colin Simmons and Moore on the EDGE with Ethan Burke and Barryn Sorrell on the interior. That is something I can see Texas doing this season on situational passing downs to generate pressure with speed upfront.
The linebackers are led by Anthony Hill and are a solid group. Hill, just like what we’ve seen on film, is able to use his speed and athleticism to play from hashmark to hashmark.
The secondary is really good. Malik Muhammad he has the ability to lockdown one side of the field every single play or follow the best receiver. Gavin Holmes and Jay’Vion Cole have the ability to keep up with the speed receivers downfield and Jahdae Baron is the same X-factor he is in real life. You can line him up at nickel, safety, or corner and he just makes plays.
The safeties are versatile and are interchangeable. In dime package you can slide Derek Williams or Xavier Filsaime in the box as a LB, and they are physical enough to play that spot.
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Everything that has been written about this team since the spring and summer is reflected in the game. This team is talented has depth and can compete to win a championship. I can’t wait to watch it all unfold on the real field.
