While we won’t get to see Penn State take the field in a real game until late August, we’ll be able to play as the virtual Nittany Lions much sooner. EA’s College Football video game made its triumphant return in 2024, the first game since NCAA Football 14, and now the hype is starting to build for College Football 26 after the game’s cover shoot was leaked on social media Wednesday night.
An early look at the EA College Football 26 Deluxe Edition Cover 👀
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) March 13, 2025
The cover consists of players such as DJ Lagway, Ryan Williams, Jeremiah Smith, True Freshman Bryce Underwood + more
Also features a few head coaches and mascots
(via tubbycfb/IG) pic.twitter.com/kE9TtniEk8
After making the program’s first-ever College Football Playoff appearance last season, both head coach James Franklin and star running back Nicholas Singleton appear to be featured on the cover for next year’s game. The cover shot also included Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams, and Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, among plenty of other current players and coaches, plus college football legends like Tim Tebow.
Last season’s cover featured Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, and Michigan running back Donovan Edwards.
If there is any concern from Penn State fans about a “cover curse” which has been a story with the Madden Cover for years, it was the case for Ewers and Edwards. Ewers led Texas to the CFP semifinal, but suffered a torn oblique and ankle injury early in the season, which he never fully recovered from. Edwards stayed healthy, playing 12 games, but he only ran for 589 yards and four touchdowns while Kalel Mullings took the lion’s share of the carries. Hunter, however, won the Heisman Trophy with a legendary season playing both cornerback and wide receiver.
Singleton is currently the 10th on the Penn State all-time rushing list with 2,912 yards. Both he and Kaytron Allen rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, and despite battling a midseason injury, finished the year with 1,474 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns. As a draft-eligible junior, Singleton could have left for the NFL, but instead opted to return for his senior year and a chance at a national championship. If he doesn’t win one in his final year in Happy Valley, at least you can on College Football 26.