Some big college football news dropped Tuesday in the home of Ohio sports betting. EA Sports released the cover stars for its acclaimed College Football 26 video game. The game developer chose two sophomore wide receivers: Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Alabama’s Ryan Williams.
As true freshmen last season, both were dominant in college football’s two toughest conferences. They won’t be eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft because the league’s rules require players to be out of high school for three years, but Smith and Williams are on pace to be two of the top players available in 2027.
There have been 25 players on a cover for a NCAA Football video game since 2000 with 23 of them going to the NFL Draft – where do they typically get picked? BetOhio.com, your source for the best Ohio sports betting promo codes, wanted to see what we can expect from Smith and Williams.
| Average Draft Position* | 68.7 |
| Drafted In First Round of NFL Draft | 15 of 23 (65.2%) |
| Drafted In Top 5 of NFL Draft | 10 of 23 (43.5%) |
| Drafted On NFL Draft Day 2 | 1 of 23 (4.3%) |
| Drafted On NFL Draft Day 3 | 4 of 23 (17.4%) |
| Undrafted | 3 of 23 (13.0%) |
*Undrafted is represented as 257
Smith played a major role in the Buckeyes winning their first college football national championship in a decade and the first to be decided by a 12-team playoff. (Keep up with OSU’s odds of repeating by comparing operators offering Ohio State national championship odds). Smith showcased his best work in the postseason, including seven receptions for 187 yards and two scores in the Rose Bowl to help Ohio State avenge an earlier loss to Oregon. Overall, his 1,315 receiving yards and 15 touchdown receptions on the season led the Big Ten.
Williams caught 48 passes for 865 yards and added two rushing scores on four carries for 48 yards. He was fourth in the Southeastern Conference for TD catches with eight, while his 18.0 yards-per-catch average was eighth in the SEC.
Both players should be up for All-America honors and national awards if they can replicate or improve upon their 2024 stats. Smith is tied for third in Heisman Trophy odds at BetMGM Ohio Sportsbook, at +1000 as of May 28.
Williams is a longshot for the Heisman, with odds of +3500 available at bet365. However, it’s not unusual for an early longshot to win the award. College Football 25 cover star Travis Hunter had +5000 odds at BetMGM to win the sport’s most prized individual trophy as late as Aug. 24 last season.
Ohio State and Alabama are among the top schools expected to contend for the 2025 college football national championship. FanDuel Ohio Sportsbook lists the Buckeyes as its favorite, giving OSU odds of +600 to repeat. Alabama is sixth on FanDuel’s board with +1100 odds.
BetOhio.com is your source for the latest analysis on Ohio’s top sports teams and stars. We’re also your home for reviews of Ohio sports betting apps.
USA Today Network photo by Adam Cairns
Author
Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.
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