The 2024 edition of EA Sports College Football 25 marked the first time athletes were compensated for their name, image, and likeness. But that wasn’t the only milestone — just over a quarter into the season, the game released its first-ever player ratings update, with 64 players receiving adjustments based on their performances.
Biggest Rating Risers in College Football 25
10) Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas: 85 (+8)
After hauling in 14 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns behind Ja’Tavion Sanders last season, Gunnar Helm was expected to see an increased workload as a senior. However, the Longhorns brought in Alabama transfer Amari Niblack at the position, causing many to project Helm would remain the TE2.
Yet, five games into the season, Helm is the clear TE1, already surpassing his 2023 totals with a 16-220-1 receiving line. He’s also proven he can dominate contests, taking seven receptions for 98 yards and a score against Michigan’s vaunted defense in Week 2.
T-9) Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina: 87 (+9)
At 6’6″ and 248 pounds, Dylan Stewart doesn’t look like a true freshman, and he certainly hasn’t played like one. His 2.5 sacks are second on the team, and his two forced fumbles and three QB hurries are tied for first.
As is to be expected, Stewart can still improve in run defense and expand his pass-rush arsenal, but he’s already formed a deadly duo with Kyle Kennard in Columbia.
T-9) Kani Walker, CB, Oklahoma: 85 (+9)
After snatching an interception in Week 1 and breaking up at least one pass in every game this season, EA had no choice but to raise Kani Walker’s rating. The 6’2″, 205-pound corner is a perfect fit for Brent Venables’ zone-heavy system and has been a staple on the outside for the last two seasons.
T-9) Chris Adams, OT, Memphis: 80 (+9)
Following two years at Old Dominion, Chris Adams entered the transfer portal and found a new home in Memphis. He repaid their belief tenfold, becoming a key piece in the Tigers’ high-powered offense.
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Not only has Adams protected QB Seth Henigan’s blindside at an elite level (zero sacks allowed thus far), but he consistently generates push up front in the ground game, paving lanes for Mario Anderson and Co.
T-6) Skyler Bell, WR, UConn: 81 (+10)
On top of owning the 11th-most receiving yards in the nation (500), Skyler Bell is also averaging the highest yards per reception (23.8) among the 109 pass catchers with at least 20 catches. After a breakout redshirt freshman campaign (30-444-5) at Wisconsin, the Badgers moved him into the slot, causing his numbers to plummet (38-297-1).
Bell opted to transfer and landed with the Huskies, who immediately reverted him back to his best position: outside deep threat. There, he has routinely produced yards after the catch and missed tackles and has cut down on dropped passes that plagued his final year in Madison.
T-6) Terry Moore, S, Duke: 86 (+10)
Terry Moore was solid for the Blue Devils last season but didn’t exactly pop off the screen. But that hasn’t been the case under Manny Diaz this year.
Moore has filled the stat sheet (27 tackles, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and two interceptions) primarily from his split-field alignment, but he has no issue dropping into the box or slot.
4) Tre Watson, TE, Texas A&M: 80 (+11)
Tre Watson’s stat line (6-69-1) isn’t all that impressive, but the developers are clearly just correcting the 6’5″ and 250-pound tight end’s laughably low initial rating (69).
In his final season at Fresno State, Watson posted 378 yards and four scores on 38 receptions. And although Texas A&M has struggled with QB play, Watson has moved the chains on four of his catches, excluding the touchdown.
3) Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa: 87 (+13)
Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty has been all the talk at RB this season, and rightfully so. But Kaleb Johnson deserves his flowers, as seen in his +13 ratings update.
Iowa’s lead back currently has the second-most rushing yards (685) and is tied for the third-most rushing TDs (9) in the country while averaging a ridiculous 8.4 yards per carry.
Johnson has rushed for 170+ yards in each of the last three games, including 187 against Iowa State (No. 11 in yards per game allowed) and 206 against Minnesota (No. 5).
2) Mazeo Bennett Jr., WR, South Carolina: 80 (+16)
Stewart wasn’t the only Gamecocks true freshman to receive a ratings boost. In fact, he didn’t even receive the biggest jump.
Four-star WR Mazeo Bennett Jr. has cemented his place as South Carolina’s No. 1 pass catcher, leading the program in every metric (11 catches, 158 yards, and two TDs). Most of his damage has come from the slot, where he’s shown a penchant for creating separation downfield.
1) Marquis Cooper, CB, Buffalo: 80 (+27)
Marquis Cooper first made a name for himself at Colgate in 2022 before transferring and sitting out last season. The wait was worth it, as he’s been one of Buffalo’s best defenders this season.
Opposing offenses have looked Cooper’s way often, but he made UMass pay with a 100-yard pick-six. He followed that up with two pass breakups in a double-overtime victory over Northern Illinois and another against UConn last week.
While not a true shutdown corner, Cooper has earned his 27-point increase. And if he continues to impress, he’ll receive more recognition as one of the top playmakers in the MAC.
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