EA Sports College Football 26 is now under two months away from its release, and the initial cover stars have been announced. Similar to the 2025 rendition of the game, this release features two covers.
Last year, Travis Hunter, Quinn Ewers, and Donovan Edwards were the primary features on each cover. However, the three of them took the spotlight themselves in the game’s original version. Now, two of college football’s biggest young stars take their turn in 2026.
Sophomore Superstars Receive Praise From NFL Wideout, Former Buckeye
Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams are set to become two of the youngest people ever to grace the cover of an EA Sports video game. Ohio State’s Smith (19) and Alabama’s Williams (18) earned the honor as cover stars after their highlight-producing freshman seasons — and for Smith, it included a national championship title.
As their rise to fame continues, NFL stars across the league are taking notice. Chris Olave took to his Instagram story, where he expressed his excitement about the cover release. “Mf hard,” Olave said.
The New Orleans Saints’ talent himself hails from Ohio State, as he helped pioneer what is widely considered the “WRU.” While Olave was not the first big receiver to come out of Ohio State, he helped showcase what wideouts could potentially evolve into while there.
In four seasons with the Buckeyes, Olave erupted for 2,711 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns on 176 receptions. While there is some crossover, his monster years helped players like Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Emeka Egbuka, and now Smith to stardom.
Smith-Williams Could Be the Best WR Prospect Duo in Decades
Regardless of their age, Smith and Williams proved that college football was their stage in 2024. Combining for 2,180 receiving yards, 26 total touchdowns, and an average of 17.6 yards a grab in both regular and postseason play, the two dominated.
Smith shined brightest when the Buckeyes needed him most. Going for 192 all-purpose yards and two scores, the prodigy helped derail Oregon’s storybook season.
Williams’ best outing came as Alabama faced its most daunting SEC foe, Georgia. In just his fourth collegiate game, against the No. 2-ranked Bulldogs, the 60″‘ receiver tallied 177 receiving yards and a touchdown on six catches.
During the contest, Williams created one of the most viral moments of the 2024 season when he made an ultra-acrobatic reception late in the game.
With both players proving they can almost single-handedly take down college football’s elite, they have earned their rightful spot as the faces of the EA Sports College Football 26 cover.