With the recent release of EA Sports’ College Football 25, many college football fans have flocked to play the new video game using their favorite team. Here at Onward State, we decided to look and see if EA got Penn State’s players’ ratings correct.

Penn State is known to be a classic blue blood fighting to reach the top tier of modern excellence among the college football community. The team has quite a lot to offer for those trying different teams within the game. Penn State boasts a dynamic, vertical passing style playbook with plenty of play-action pass plays and run-pass option plays.

The video game roster includes two highly-rated running backs and an accurate and composed quarterback. On the defensive side of the ball, there is talent at all three levels of the defense. Whether you like the user a defensive lineman, linebacker, or safety, this team is for you.

The Nittany Lions check in at 88 overall, listed as the ninth-best team in the game. The offensive overall rating is 87, which ranks 12th in the game. On defense, the Nittany Lions rank ninth overall at 88. Beaver Stadium was graded as the sixth hardest stadium to play at in the game. This was EA Sports’ first mistake, as Beaver Stadium is known to be one of the toughest environments to play in no matter the time of the game. Moving away from the team, let’s break down the top 15 players’ overalls.

KJ Winston: 91 Overall, Underrated

KJ Winston is a run-first safety who plays well in the box but has average coverage skills. EA Sports reflected his play style well by giving him an 88-tackle rating and a 90-pursuit rating. His coverage ratings are in the mid-80s, which is pretty average for a position within the secondary. The only problem with Winston’s ratings is that his speed is 88, which is a bit low considering his play recognition was rated 89. Overall, Winston is underrated and should be a 92 with a speed rating of 90.

Nick Singleton: 91 Overall, Properly Rated

Nick Singleton is an elusive back who uses his breakaway speed to make explosive plays boasting a 94 rating paired with a 95 acceleration rating. With a high break tackle and agility rating, users can expect to make quick cuts and electric plays on the field in the running and passing game. When using Singleton, you can tell how fast he is due to his ability to gain the outside edge on runs and wheel routes. EA, you got this one right!

Abdul Carter: 91 Overall, Underrated

Abdul Carter is a speed rusher who is effective in stopping the run and applying pressure to the quarterback. He is a fun player to use on the defensive line as he beats blocks consistently and creates tough yardage situations for the opposing offense. With 89 speed, 94 acceleration, and 95 pursuit, it’s not uncommon to see Carter in the backfield causing havoc. EA’s rating of him is a bit off but it is understandable because he just switched to edge rusher this off-season. Abdul Carter is underrated and should be somewhere around a 93 overall.

Tyler Warren: 90 Overall, Properly Rated

Tyler Warren is a large physical tight-end who is a great run blocker and is a threat in the passing attack. Warren is a reliable pass catcher overtop, or on the sideline. He is a great option to pass to on third down when you need someone reliable with great hands. Warren has been a valuable option for the Nittany Lions outside the video game for 2 years now. EA Sports got another rating right with Tyler Warren.

Drew Allar: 88 Overall, Properly Rated

Drew Allar is one of the better quarterbacks in the video game with solid passing accuracy on all three levels of the field. His deep ball is inconsistent though, which matches his real-life gameplay. Allar is not a mobile quarterback, but he can occasionally pick you up a few yards if you’re in a pinch. His abilities allow him to not feel as much pressure on the road, which is a huge ability in this game considering the impact stadiums have on the game. Considering all the quarterbacks within the video game, an 88 is a well-deserved rating for Drew Allar.

Kaytron Allen: 87 Overall, Underrated

Playing with Kaytron Allen in the video game feels like running a bulldozer. Allen often breaks the first, second, and even third tackle while running the football. He also provides great pass blocking, especially on the play-action pass. With Allar, Singleton, and Allen in the backfield on certain formations, it creates havoc for the opponents. Allen may not have the break-away speed Singleton possesses, but Allen is not slow in any regard. EA Sports missed his rating, as it should be an 88 overall.

Dani Dennis-Sutton: 85 Overall, Properly Rated

Dani Dennis-Sutton is part of Penn State’s strong defensive front that creates havoc for the opposing quarterback. Dennis-Sutton’s abilities boost his radius of pressure on the quarterback and allow him to cause havoc on the opposite side of Carter. Dennis-Sutton is also a fun user on the defensive line due to his effectiveness in stopping the run. He often slips off of blocks using his high strength rating and is able to stop the runner behind the line of scrimmage. Dani Dennis-Sutton is once again, properly rated. Great work so far EA!

Sal Wormley: 84 Overall, Properly Rated

Sal Wormly is an anchor on the improving offensive front of the Nittany Lions. Wormly is the highest-rated offensive lineman on the roster. With blocking stats throughout the 80s, he uses his strength and awareness, which are his highest stats, to hold down the right side of the line. EA Sports gave Wormley the appropriate rating based on his development.

Kobe King: 84 Overall, Overrated

Kobe King is a downhill linebacker who is great at stopping the run with great pursuit and tackling stats. He is a decent player to use in coverage, but he is on the slower side. Crossing routes by tight ends and receivers often pass King, making him a bit of a liability. His catching stat is also very low which is not ideal if you’re trying to play as a linebacker. Overall, King is slightly overrated. I would give King a rating of 83 overall.

Julian Fleming: 83 Overall, Properly Rated

Julian Fleming is the highest-rated wide receiver on this roster. Fleming’s transfer from Ohio State brings a new hope to the wide receiver room. In the game, Fleming is a solid option for in the short and medium yardage passing attack. Even though he is a strong receiver with good catching stats, his size and lack of breakaway speed limit him as a deep threat outside in the game. EA Sports, pat yourselves on the back because you got yet another player rating correct!

Tony Rojas: 82 Overall, Underrated

Tony Rojas is the new best linebacker prodigy in Happy Valley. Rojas’ is my favorite person to use on the Penn State defense due to his size, strength, and ability to stop the run and play in coverage. He often intercepts the quarterback because he can keep up with tight ends in man coverage or cover a crossing route in zone coverage. Rojas will be the next big linebacker prospect coming out of State College. and is very underrated. Rojas should be rated an 84 overall.

Cam Miller: 82 Overall, Properly Rated

Cam Miller is one of two cornerbacks rated at an 82 overall. He is a corner that specializes in zone coverage. Even though Miller has speed and acceleration ratings in the 90s, his coverage stats are a bit low for a corner. He often gets burned by top receivers, which is why it is recommended to play zone with Penn State. Miller is another player EA got right!

AJ Harris: 82 Overall, Properly Rated

The Georgia transfer was a huge pull for James Franklin, and his impact has been felt already in the game. The young sophomore shows promising upside in his coverage development. AJ Harris is the fastest and quickest corner on the roster, which is huge for competing with better receiver talent from other schools online. Even though EA got this rating right, I expect this rating to climb as he gets more reps in his career.

Jalen Kimber: 81 Overall, Overrated

Kimber is a slightly undersized zone corner who is quick like the other two corners. After transferring around the SEC, he has found his home in Happy Valley. He also often struggles to keep up with some of the top receivers in the game. As stated, Cover 2, Cover 3, or Cover 4 are going to be your best friends when playing with the Penn State defense. Kimber’s rating of 81 is a bit high in my opinion due to lack of production at his age. Kimber should be a 79 or 80 overall.

Drew Shelton: 81 Overall, Properly Rated

Drew Shelton boasts great strength and good blocking stats while being more agile than most linemen. The combination of his great awareness and agility stats allows him to be great at pulling blocks on runs and screens. Shelton is slightly better at pass-blocking due to his ability to move, but he certainly isn’t a liability when it comes to run-blocking. Shelton’s rating of 81 is accurate considering his age and development.

Overall, EA Sports did an excellent job in rating players not only on Penn State’s roster but the entire FBS as well. They created a game that not only gives old NCAA 14 players nostalgia but also creates a fresh, exciting game for the younger generation to enjoy college football at home growing up, just like we did. Thank you, EA Sports for not creating a college football version of Madden.