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EA Sports: Top 10 College Players We Missed During Hiatus

Dec 12, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Keenan Reynolds (19) runs during the first quarter against the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field.
© Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

After more than 4,000 days, EA Sports' College Football franchise returns with College Football 25 on July 19. Most college football fans and video gamers have been waiting for this day since the game was announced to return in February 2021. The last game was released on July 9, 2013, leaving a gap of 11 years of players that did not make it into an NCAA Football game representing their school's colors. These are the most electric 10 players you did not get to use during those 11 years.



10. Keenan Reynolds, QB, Navy

Reynolds would not be for everyone. You would not like to play with Navy if you are a pass-first player, but you would enjoy Reynolds if you wanted an electric player that can run all over the field and throw the ball when needed. He attended the Naval Academy from 2012 to 2016 throwing for 4,001 yards, 31 touchdowns and 8 interceptions while rushing for 4,559 yards and 88 touchdowns.


9. Aiden Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

A defensive stud from the University of Michigan would have caused havoc on opposing quarterbacks in the game as he did on the gridiron. Hutchinson would be the type of player you want to control instead of letting the artificial intelligence control when playing defense. While at Michigan from 2018 to 2021 he piled up 153 tackles, 15.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles.



8. Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State

One of the best players to ever wear a Cyclones jersey, he would be a dynamic player who can run the ball all over the yard and catch passes out of the backfield. The Iowa State team had some great complementary players around him, including QB Brock Purdy and a pretty good defense. Hall played at Iowa State from 2019 to 2021 gaining 3,941 yards rushing with 50 touchdowns, plus 734 yards receiving and 6 touchdowns.


7. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech

Mahomes was an explosive QB with great scrambling ability and plenty of playmakers around him. During his time at Texas Tech, the Red Raiders did not have a good defense so you would have to be prepared for a shootout to win, and with Mahomes that could have been done. He played at Texas Tech from 2014 to 2016 throwing for 11,252 yards, 93 touchdowns and 29 interceptions, along with rushing for 820 yards, and 22 touchdowns.


6. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

The outstanding wide receiver from the Buckeyes would have been a great player to throw the ball to in this game. With good speed and height, he is the perfect player that you could run on deep routes and throw the ball to and make plenty of game-breaker type of plays. While at Ohio State from 2021 to 2023 he put up 2,613 yards receiving and 31 touchdowns.



5. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

Nix was in college football for half a decade making big plays with his legs and arm at Auburn and Oregon. Nix was the kind of player made for a video game with a lively arm and the ability to run. It never hurts to have a player like this surrounded by talent which you would have had especially when he was at Oregon. Nix played in college football from 2019 to 2023 with 15,351 yards passing, 113 touchdowns, 26 interceptions, 1,613 yards rushing and 38 touchdowns.



4. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

The 2017 Heisman Trophy winner was one of the most dynamic players while he was at Oklahoma. Mayfield was a big-time playmaker who would have given you a chance to win some hardware while playing your dynasty with his running ability and his throwing attributes. During his time at Texas Tech and primarily while at Oklahoma he threw for 14,607 yards, 131 touchdowns, 30 interceptions, running for 1,083 yards, and 21 touchdowns.



3. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

A case could be made that the whole 2019 LSU football team missed the boat on being in game. Burrow was the without a doubt best player in America that season and having weapons like Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson did not hurt him in reaching such great heights. He had a rocket for an arm and could also make plays with his legs. Burrow was in college at Ohio State and then LSU from 2016 to 2019. The 2019 season was outstanding for Burrow with 5,671 yards passing, 60 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, rushing for 368 yards and 5 touchdowns.



2. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

Jackson was another player who could destroy opponents on the ground and through the air. While at Louisville he was must-see TV and was the type of player that put up video-game numbers in real life. He also won the 2016 Heisman for his outstanding play on the field. Jackson played for Louisville from 2015 to 2017 piling up 9,043 yards passing, 69 touchdowns, 27 interceptions, rushing for 4,132 yards and 50 touchdowns.


1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

McCaffrey was one of the most electric players to ever play during the 11 years of the game's hiatus. He was great at catching the ball out of the backfield and finding holes when getting to rush the ball. He also got to return punts and kickoffs which helped him become the NCAA single-season record holder for all-purpose yards. Playing at Stanford from 2014 to 2016, McCaffrey rushed for 3,922 yards, 21 touchdowns, 1,206 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns. McCaffrey also was able to get a punt return and kickoff return for touchdowns.



Missing Out on EA Sports College Football

When it comes to the NCAA video game the quarterback position is the main position everyone cares about when picking teams which shows in the list with six of the 10 being from that position. Most of these players have continued to have their time on the NFL field and therefore got their moment in the Madden Football series, so most gamers have had their chance to play with these guys in other football video games.







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