Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams Speculate on CF26 Ratings, Drop Their NFL Mount Rushmore, and More

EA Sports just announced the cover athletes for College Football 26, and they didn’t miss. Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Alabama’s Ryan Williams—two of the most electric young stars in the sport—will officially grace the front of the franchise’s long-awaited follow-up to last year’s return.

For Smith and Williams, it’s more than a photo op. It’s a career-defining moment that cements their place in the new era of college football—one powered by NIL, streaming highlights, and now, a rebooted video game that’s as culturally essential as ever.

“It was a dream of mine since [EA Sports] brought the game back out,” Smith said. “It definitely was an exciting moment for me when [EA Sports] told me [they] wanted me to be a cover athlete."

Williams had the idea on his radar from the jump. “When [College Football] 25 dropped I was just anticipating my rating… So then going throughout the season, I was like, next year hopefully I have the opportunity,” he said. “If I do, that’s a dream come true."

Both are coming off standout freshman seasons that turned them from top recruits into must-watch stars. Smith carried the wide receiver torch at Ohio State, earning praise from legends like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Garrett Wilson. “All them guys hit me up after every game,” he said. “So it’s always connection there."

Williams reclassified to hit Tuscaloosa early and still managed to make a name for himself in one of the toughest programs in the country. “That was the hardest time of my life,” he admitted. “But I was like, when I get there there’s nothing going to stop me."

Smith, meanwhile, helped power Ohio State to a national title, putting an exclamation point on a debut season most players only dream about. “Winning the national championship as a freshman… something a lot of people can’t say,” he said.

Now, they’re representing two of the most dominant programs in the country on the biggest digital stage college football has to offer. “Just being able to represent not only my school but my state, it means a lot,” Williams said.

Of course, no College Football conversation is complete without rating speculation. So, what do they think they deserve?

“We was in the nineties last year… he won a Natty, he gotta be about a 97,” Williams said of Smith. “I’m good with a 94, 95.”

Smith, laughing, agreed: “Yeah, around 97. We won a Natty for sure."

As players, they’ve got different on-field styles, but the same no-pressure mentality off it. “I don’t think anyone could put more pressure on me than me,” Williams said. “I wake up every morning and understand I have my own goals. Pressure make diamonds."

Smith echoed that energy: “That’s why you come to the big programs like Alabama, like Ohio State. You want that."

Off the field, they’re already making an impact. Williams recently hosted youth camps around Tuscaloosa that drew hundreds of kids. “Just seeing that turnout—it really did something for me,” he said. “I’ve been on the other side of it, and I know what just those three hours could do for a kid."

There’s no off switch for the spotlight. “We be trying to lock in during the game, and fans yelling your name—man, as soon as you turn around, it’s a wrap,” Williams said. Smith laughed, adding, “You’re trying to focus, but it’s wild."

While their playing styles are explosive, their pregame vibes couldn’t be more different. Williams keeps things lowkey before kickoff, opting for Lil Wayne’s “Let It All Work Out”, some SZA, Drake, and Jhené Aiko to stay centered. “You’d think I’m listening to YoungBoy, but nah… I be vibing for real,” he said, laughing.

Smith, on the other hand, likes his playlist like his routes—aggressive and old-school. “I like Lil Durk, but I go back too—Tupac, DMX, guys like that. Just get me turnt a little bit,” he said

Before the interview wrapped, the duo dropped their Mount Rushmores of current NFL players—predictably wide receiver-heavy. Smith went with Patrick Mahomes, Derrick Henry, Ja’marr Chase, and Justin Jefferson. Williams swapped in DeVonta Smith and Davante Adams for a a Mount Rushmore built to torch secondaries.

It’s fitting, really. These two aren’t just building toward the league—they’re already channeling its best.

With College Football 26 on the horizon and two generational talents at the forefront, it’s safe to say the game is fully back.

And Smith and Williams? They’re already exactly where they belong.

College Football 26 launches July 10 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a full reveal coming Thursday, May 29. Fans can pre-order the MVP Bundle now to get the Deluxe Editions of both College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26, along with early access and bonuses.