EA Sports College Football 25 ratings 99 club: Why no players received top overall rating in video game

When a player earns a 99 overall rating in any of EA Sports’ popular video games, that counts as a big deal. Indeed, the honor even has given rise to a special name: the 99 club.

With EA Sports releasing its newest video game, EA Sports College Football 25, on July 19, there has been plenty of anticipation over player ratings. How high would college football players be rated in the game after an 11-year hiatus?

There were certainly several contenders for players who could earn the highest-possible rating in the game, led by the three cover athletes: Michigan running back Donovan Edwards, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and Colorado two-way phenom Travis Hunter.

Did any of them ascend into EA Sports immortality? Here’s what you need to know.

MORE: Texas’ Arch Manning opts in to EA Sports College Football 25

Are there any 99 overall players in EA Sports College Football 25?

Surprisingly, no players received a 99 overall rating in the latest edition of the video game. The highest-rated players — Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II and LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell — all earned a 96 overall rating.

While that might seem a bit odd, there is also an aspect of it that should not be as surprising as it might have been in an edition of the game released last year.

Heading into the 2024 college football season, both the past two Heisman Trophy winners are off to the draft. And unlike the 2023 season, where many had lofty expectations for players like Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr., there aren’t as many clear-cut stars in this upcoming campaign.

The favorites to win the Heisman Trophy are Georgia QB Carson Beck, Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel and Ewers, according to Caesar’s. However, no one is as significant a favorite to win the honor as Williams in the 2023 preseason.

MORE: Team rankings for EA Sports College Football 25

There is also no clear favorite to go first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Though players like Beck and Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. are the early favorites, neither has solidified the spot in the same way many expected Williams would snag the No. 1 overall pick in 2024 (which he did).

The college football world has its fair share of stars, but there are no players that appear to have firmly established themselves as the clear best players that merits the historic honor of being named to the 99 club.

NCAA Football 99 overall players

While no players made the cut in 2024, players have made the 99 club in past editions of the game.

There were 24 players named to the 99 club in the 2003 through 2014 editions of the game, per Fox Sports, with just the 2011 and 2013 editions not having any players in the club before this year. Here’s a look at each player that was in the club.