### Excitement Builds for EA Sports College Football 26 with Star Players and New Features The upcoming release of EA Sports College Football 26 is generating significant buzz among fans and players alike. Scheduled for launch on July 10, 2025, the game will feature prominent college football stars, including Alabama's Ryan Williams and Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith, who are both cover athletes. Their impressive performances in the previous season, where Smith helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship, have made them key figures in the game's marketing strategy. The game promises to enhance the gaming experience with nearly 3,000 new plays, real-life coaches, and revamped gameplay modes, building on the success of its predecessor, College Football 25, which became the highest-selling sports video game of all time [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ryan_williams_reveals_conversation_with_jeremiah_smith_during_college_football_26_cover_shoot/s1_17615_42276013, https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2025/5/29/24439335/ea-college-football-26-trailer-reveals-expanded-road-to-glory-real-life-coaches]. ### Structure of the Upcoming Game and Its Features 1. **Star Players and Marketing**: - Ryan Williams and Jeremiah Smith are the cover athletes, representing Alabama and Ohio State, respectively. - Both players had standout freshman seasons, with Smith achieving 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ryan_williams_reveals_conversation_with_jeremiah_smith_during_college_football_26_cover_shoot/s1_17615_42276013]. 2. **Game Features**: - The game will include nearly 3,000 new plays and over 300 real-life coaches, enhancing realism and gameplay depth [https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2025/05/29/ea-college-football-26-every-major-detail-revealed]. - New gameplay modes and features, such as an expanded Road to Glory and cross-play capabilities, are set to improve player engagement [https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2025/5/29/24439335/ea-college-football-26-trailer-reveals-expanded-road-to-glory-real-life-coaches]. 3. **Fan Reactions and Anticipation**: - The trailer release has been met with excitement from both college football and NFL fans, highlighting the game's potential to break records set by its predecessor [https://www.sportskeeda.com/college-football/news-real-sick-cfb-fans-get-excited-new-upgrade-latest-version-college-football-26]. - Fans are particularly eager to see how the game captures the atmosphere of college football, including iconic traditions and stadium experiences [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/oregon_appears_against_rival_in_ea_college_football_26_reveal/s1_17615_42259286]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Player Statistics**: - Jeremiah Smith: 76 receptions, 1,315 yards, 15 touchdowns in the 2024 season [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ryan_williams_reveals_conversation_with_jeremiah_smith_during_college_football_26_cover_shoot/s1_17615_42276013]. - **Game Features**: - Nearly 3,000 new plays and over 300 real coaches confirmed [https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2025/05/29/ea-college-football-26-every-major-detail-revealed]. - Expanded Road to Glory mode and cross-play capabilities [https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2025/5/29/24439335/ea-college-football-26-trailer-reveals-expanded-road-to-glory-real-life-coaches]. ### Conclusion: A Promising Future for College Football Gaming In summary, **EA Sports College Football 26 is poised to be a landmark release in the sports gaming genre**. With star players like Ryan Williams and Jeremiah Smith leading the marketing efforts, the game is set to build on the success of its predecessor by introducing a wealth of new features and gameplay enhancements. The anticipation surrounding its release reflects the deep connection fans have with college football and the excitement for a more immersive gaming experience. 1. Star players will drive marketing and fan engagement. 2. New features promise to enhance gameplay and realism. 3. Fan excitement indicates a strong potential for record-breaking sales. The combination of these elements suggests that EA Sports College Football 26 will not only meet but potentially exceed the high expectations set by its predecessor [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ryan_williams_reveals_conversation_with_jeremiah_smith_during_college_football_26_cover_shoot/s1_17615_42276013, https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2025/5/29/24439335/ea-college-football-26-trailer-reveals-expanded-road-to-glory-real-life-coaches].