How Do Washington Huskies Stack Up in College Football 26 Video Game?
It’s been a while since I was serious about a video game.
We’re talking the PlayStation era. Not PlayStation 5. Not even PlayStation 2. Back in the late 1990s, it was simply a PlayStation. I spent entirely too much time playing Madden ‘98, and challenged myself by putting together a very bad team of guys I liked for various reasons. Many of them were in the “He’s a better man than football player” category. We got hot late in our second season, and we won the Super Bowl on a seven-yard slant to a fictitious rookie tight end I’d drafted in the first round. What a ride.
Then something awful happened. I went to check Super Bowl stats from the game, and the console froze — forever.
On that day, I retired a champion. I never bought another console, and I went out — somewhat unwillingly — on top.
Now, no one but me is wondering: Is it time for a comeback?
College Football 26, which was officially released July 10, has me putting out some feelers. Do I have what it takes to compete in the modern era of college football… video games?
The game has changed, as has its role in the perception of real football players. There were reports during the 2024 NFL season that New York Jets owner Woody Johnson decided not to attempt a trade for receiver Jerry Jeudy due to his Madden rating. According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, those decisions were heavily influenced by Johnson’s teen sons.
Some players in various sports games have complained about their own ratings and have even been known to create a new version of themselves to represent what they believe to be more accurate depictions of their abilities. There are articles written, and undoubtedly, people gathered around pitchers of beer discussing player ratings. Who’s overrated? Underrated? Who could surprise in real games to overcome their perception in fake ones?
Which brings us to the Washington Huskies football team.
It’s no surprise that Jonah Coleman checks in with the highest overall rating with a 93 overall in the latest EA Sports video game. The senior running back gets high marks for trucking (95) and break tackles (93). That sounds about right, as he’s shown some beast mode-type ability during his career at Arizona and Washington. Though he’s trimmed down a bit after rushing for 1,053 yards and 10 touchdowns behind a rickety offensive line in 2024, Coleman looks to deliver some blows to would-be tacklers in 2025.
At a 93, Coleman ranks below only Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love (95) among running backs. There are just 12 total players rated higher than 93, with a pair of Ohio State players leading the way — receiver Jeremiah Smith (98) and safety Caleb Downs (96). Expectations for Coleman entering this season are high.
While Coleman isn’t considered a Heisman contender in sports books, he’s got a shot in College Football 26’s “Road to Glory” game mode. For the real Coleman who plays on Saturdays, that type of glory would require at least 10 wins and a UW head coach Jedd Fisch calling Coleman plays like some of us might if we were riding him in a video game.
Another player perhaps destined for glory is Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. As a first-year full-time starter, EA Sports is taking a somewhat conservative approach, giving Williams an overall rating of 82. Though he has a high ceiling, it seems Williams will have to prove it to the video game creators. Williams received a speed grade of 88, which may be a touch low. The 89 for agility and 92 for acceleration seem about right. While we doubt Fisch spends a lot of time in the middle of the night playing video games online against teenagers, it’s possible he might not love the 82 overall rating since he’s mentioned that he believes Williams will end up in New York at some point as a Heisman finalist.
There’s been some national hype about Huskies receiver Denzel Boston this offseason, and that carried over to College Football 26 with the Huskies’ second-highest rating at a 91. His greatest attributes, according to EA Sports, are “spectacular catch” and “catch in traffic,” both earning a 94. Boston, who’s shown up as a first-round pick in some 2026 NFL mock drafts, gets an 88 for speed, 89 for agility, and 92 for acceleration. As one of three Huskies in the Top 100, Boston is tied for seventh overall among receivers. Only Smith, Alabama’s Ryan Williams (95), Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson (94), Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (93), Auburn’s Eric Singleton Jr. (92), and Georgia Tech’s Eric Rivers (92) are rated higher than the UW pass catcher.
The game creators also have high expectations for Washington cornerback Tacario Davis, who gives the Huskies a third player in the game’s Top 100. The Arizona transfer is tied with Boston with a 91 rating. The Huskies hold their tandem of 6-4 corners in high regard, and EA Sports shares that optimism. Ephesians Prysock, coming off a solid 2024 for Washington, enters 2025 with a game rating of 87. Davis receives a slight edge in speed (91-90) and agility (89-88) compared to his new - and old - teammate. If those speed and agility scores are correct for their two long corners, it’s going to be tough sledding for opposing outside receivers this season.
Also high on the list is linebacker Taariq Al-Uqdah, a transfer from Washington State. Rated at 85 overall, the Huskies will need that level of solid play this season. Playing in the Ryan Walters’ 5-1-5 defense, there will be many times when Uqdah will be the only true linebacker on the field. His 87 awareness will be important, along with 85 speed that will be necessary to make sideline-to-sideline plays.
In the game, and in the real-life Husky Stadium, the Huskies need to work on their offensive lineman ratings. If there is a path to glory for the 2025 Huskies in the rugged Big Ten, it’ll be paved by some underrated blockers. We’ll have to wait until College Football 2027 to see if that perception winds up changing — or as the youngsters say — maybe wait for a roster update down the line?
