Predicting the Gophers overall roster in EA Sports College Football 25

EA Sports officially announced Thursday that all 134 FBS programs will be included in their upcoming College Football 25 video game. Anyone who played the game over a decade ago knows how much fun it was, and why it’s return is receiving so much hype. The last NCAA Football video game released on July 9, 2013. Notable players on the Gophers’ 2013 roster included QB Mitch Leidner, RB David Cobb, WR KJ Maye and TE Maxx Williams.

Heading into the 2024 season, the Gophers have plenty of talent up and down their roster with names like Darius Taylor, Max Brosmer and Daniel Jackson. While there is still plenty of offseason to shake out, I thought it would be interesting to predict what ratings their roster could have.

Team Rating

In the 2014 version of the game, Minnesota was coming off an 8-5 season and Texas Bowl loss to Syracuse and they still didn’t get any respect, earning a team rating of 76, which ranked 73rd in all of FBS. Given the fact that Minnesota’s preseason win total has been set at 4.5 according to most sportsbooks, I think we could see a similar rating. There are a lot of moving parts on this current Gophers roster, so I would imagine we will have a wait and see approach from just about any predictive metric there is.

OVERALL: 75

OFFENSE: 74

DEFENSE: 76

Notable Player Ratings:

I am going to take the approach of what I think the rating will be for each of the players. For example, I still think much of the college football universe is unaware how good Darius Taylor will be, but I will attempt to predict what the Gophers’ top players’ overall rating will be when the game releases this summer. With still another Transfer Portal window yet to open, the Gophers roster could certainly still change, but I will predict the most notable players currently on the roster.

Offense:

QB: Max Brosmer: 79 OVR

• Coming to Minnesota from the FCS level, Brosmer still holds the accolade of being the top passer at that level a season ago, but I expect his expectations to be tempered.

RB: Darius Taylor: 90 OVR

• I believe Taylor should and will be the highest rated player on the Gophers’ offense. Despite missing much of the second half of his freshman season, people still realize how special of talent he will be and his rating will likely only increase

RB: Sieh Bangura: 74 OVR

WR: Daniel Jackson: 84 OVR

• Jackson is the most experienced playmaker on the Gophers’ offense. After ending the season red hot in 2023, he should be one of highest rated players on the roster.

WR: Elijah Spencer: 73 OVR

WR: LeMeke Brockington: 71 OVR

TE: Nick Kallerup: 74 OVR

TE: Jameson Geers: 73 OVR

OT: Aireontae Ersery: 85 OVR

• Ersery is one of the best returning offensive lineman in the Big Ten conference. He closed the season strong last year and I think his rating will reflect that.

OT: Martes Lewis: 75 OVR

IOL: Greg Johnson: 72 OVR

IOL: Quinn Carroll: 74 OVR

IOL: Tyler Cooper: 74 OVR

Defense:

DL: Jah Joyner: 86 OVR

The highest rated player on the Gophers defense should come down to Joyner or Walley. I think Jah had more NFL buzz last season, so we could see him earn the top spot.

DL: Danny Striggow: 80 OVR

DL: Jalen Logan-Redding: 79 OVR

DL: Anthony Smith: 74 OVR

DL: Deven Eastern: 73 OVR

LB: Cody Lindenberg: 78 OVR

Lindenberg battle injuries all of last season, so while he could be the best player on the Gophers’ defense I believe he might be taken lightly by EA’s rating team.

LB: Devon Williams: 74 OVR

LB: Maverick Baranowski: 69 OVR

CB: Justin Walley: 85 OVR

Since starting as a true freshman, Justin Walley has been one of the best players on the Gophers’ defense. 2024 will be no different and the game should recognize that.

CB: Ethan Robinson: 75 OVR

CB: Tariq Watson: 69 OVR

CB: Za’Quan Bryan: 69 OVR

S: Koi Perich: 73 OVR

True freshman superstar Koi Perich earned MVP honors of the High School All-American game earlier this offseason. True freshman are typically rated lower, but he should be one of the best in the game.

S: Darius Green: 73 OVR

S: Colman Bryson: 71 OVR

Special Teams:

K: Dragan Kesich: 94 OVR

Dragan Kesich should be the highest ranked Gophers player in the game. He is one of the best kickers in the country and he should be recognized as such.

P: Mark Crawford: 73 OVR