EA Sports is bringing back its popular college football game for the first time in more than a decade, and it's largely thanks to NIL.
Originally, EA stopped making the game because it wasn't legal to pay players because of their status as NCAA athletes. NIL rules have done away with the old rules and have created new money-making opportunities for top-tier athletes.
As a result, College Football 25 is being made, and its July 19 release is eagerly anticipated. Many college football fans are excited to get a look at the gameplay and eventually see who the game's top players are.
MORE: Arch Manning opts-in to EA game with help from Uncle Eli
EA Sports is taking advantage of that hype by revealing nuggets of information about the game ahead of its release. On Wednesday, the company revealed its top 100 players for the 2024 season, and they're sure to stir up some controversy.
Nowhere is that more apparent than at quarterback. There isn't a consensus No. 1 passer in the NCAA after Caleb Williams' departure, so now, players like Shedeur Sanders, Carson Beck and Quinn Ewers are jockeying for that role.
Who does EA Sports believe is the No. 1 quarterback in College Football 2025? Here's what to know about the top eight quarterbacks as the video game prepares to return to the proverbial shelf.
MORE: Ranking the top 25 quarterbacks for 2025
EA Sports College Football 25 QB ratings
EA Sports included eight quarterbacks among its top 100 players in the College Football 25 video game. Colorado's Shedeur Sanders is rated the highest among them, as he carries a player rating of 93 and ranks as the 17th-best player in the game.
Carson Beck checks in at No. 2, and the Georgia quarterback also has a 93 rating. However, he ranks 18th overall, one spot below Sanders, as it appears EA Sports gave Sanders the edge because of his athleticism and mobility.
Below is a full look at the eight top-ranked quarterbacks in the College Football 25 video game:
| Overall rank | Player | School | Rating |
| 17 | Shedeur Sanders | Colorado | 93 |
| 18 | Carson Beck | Georgia | 93 |
| 27 | Quinn Ewers | Texas | 92 |
| 30 | Dillon Gabriel | Oregon | 92 |
| 71 | Jalen Milroe | Alabama | 90 |
| 73 | Jaxson Dart | Ole Miss | 90 |
| 79 | Jalon Daniels | Kansas | 90 |
| 90 | Kaidon Salter | Liberty | 90 |
The list appears sensible, as Sanders, Beck and Ewers are considered potential first-round prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft. Gabriel is a quality passer with plenty of experience while Milroe helped Alabama reach the College Football Playoff last season.
Dart, Daniels and Salter have all been productive to date. Dart has shown well in Lane Kiffin's quarterback-friendly offense in the SEC while both Daniels and Salter have starred at schools that aren't traditional football powerhouses.
These ratings figure to shift throughout the season, and undoubtedly, another quarterback will work his way into the ranks of the 90s.
MORE: Georgia enters 2024 as consensus No. 1 in preseason polls
Shedeur Sanders vs. Carson Beck College Football 25 ratings
As mentioned, Sanders and Beck have identical overall ratings, but Sanders is slightly ahead of Beck.
Why? Sanders has slightly better marks in speed, strength and other key categories over the Georgia signal caller, as can be seen here below.
| Stat | Shedeur Sanders | Carson Beck |
| Overall | 93 | 93 |
| Speed | 80 | 74 |
| Acceleration | 85 | 77 |
| Strength | 72 | 66 |
| Awareness | 98 | 96 |
| Jump | 84 | 71 |
Beck will effort to flip the script on Sanders, but for now, the Colorado star has an ever-so-slight edge on Georgia's signal-caller.