EA Sports released its player ratings for Madden NFL 21 this past week, which included several Nittany Lions listed on NFL rosters.

Each year, the studio rates players on a scale between 1 and 99 based on their real-life skills and talents. Ratings weigh different factors including strength, speed, and acceleration. Different traits are more important based on the position of the player. For example, a running back’s speed score will affect the overall rating more than the tackling rating of that player.

The initial ratings will change throughout the 2020 season as EA Sports updates all 32 NFL teams’ rosters each week based on player performances. If Chris Godwin were to have three consecutive weeks with 100 yards receiving, for example, it’s likely his overall rating would increase by a point or two.

Without further ado, here’s how former Penn State football stars’ initial Madden 21 ratings shook out.

Rookies

KJ Hamler and Tommy Stevens received their ratings earlier this summer. Hamler checked in at 70 overall and Stevens fared a bit worse at 54 overall.

Yetur Gross-Matos is the highest-rated Nittany Lion rookie at 74 overall. He owns a solid 82 tackling score, which is the best among Carolina’s defensive ends. His 80 and 81 respective agility and strength scores are impressive — especially for a rookie defensive end.

Defensive lineman Robert Windsor checks in at 63 overall for the Indianapolis Colts and owns the same tackling rating as Gross-Matos at 82.

New Houston Texans cornerback John Reid is rated a bit higher than Windsor at 66 overall. He owns a solid acceleration and agility rating at 89 and 90, respectively. Cam Brown is rated at 60 overall for the New York Giants and has an 86 acceleration rating.

Veterans

Saquon Barkley is the highest rated Nittany Lion at 91 overall for the second consecutive season. He is the sixth-highest rated running back in the game behind Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry, Ezekiel Elliott, Nick Chubb, and Dalvin Cook. His 93 speed rating is tied for third-best among running backs and his 96 agility is ranked second.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin received a seven-point boost from last year and checks in at 88 overall. He has the third-best catching rating among wide receivers with a 97. Mike Gesicki had his overall rating increase by four and landed at a 79 overall following a solid season with the Miami Dolphins. His 94 jumping score is the best among the tight ends.

Allen Robinson received an 89 overall rating, which is a three-point upgrade from last season. He had one of the best years of his career last year despite dealing with below-average quarterback play. His rating puts him among the top 15 wide receivers in the game.

Green Bay Packers safety Adrian Amos is rated as the sixth-best free safety in the game at 86 overall, a one-point downgrade from his Madden NFL 20 rating of 87. DaeSean Hamilton received the same rating as his Denver Broncos teammate KJ Hamler with 70 overall.

Miles Sanders received an eight-point bump from last year with his 80 overall and is the highest rated running back on the Philadelphia Eagles. He owns a 90 speed and 91 acceleration rating. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee received a six-point downgrade from last year and checks in at 76 overall.

Second-year cornerback Amani Oruwariye received a three-point increase in his overall with a 71. His top two scores from last season — 89 speed and 87 acceleration — remain the same in this year’s game. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Trace McSorley, like his former Penn State teammate Tommy Stevens, earned a 54 overall.

Other notable ratings include:

• Kicker Robbie Gould, San Francisco (82 overall)
• Cornerback Trevor Williams, Philadelphia (78 overall)
• Defensive end Carl Nassib, Las Vegas (75 overall)
• Cornerback Grant Haley, NY Giants (71 overall)
• Tight end Jesse James, Detroit (70 overall)
• Offensive guard Stefen Wisniewski, Pittsburgh (68 overall)
• Middle linebacker Jason Cabinda, Detroit (64 overall)
• Offensive guard Connor McGovern, Dallas (64 overall)
• Free safety Nick Scott, LA Rams (61 overall)

Madden NFL 21 will hit stores on Tuesday, August 25.