{{Use American English|date=November 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2025}} {{italic title}} {{Infobox video game series | title = EA Sports College Football | image = EA Sports College Football 2024 vector logo.svg | image_size = 285px | developer = [[EA Sports]] | publisher = [[Electronic Arts]] | platforms = [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[Sega Genesis]], [[Sega CD]]<br>[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]<br>[[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[GameCube]]<br>[[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation Portable]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Wii]], [[iOS]]<br>[[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox Series X/S]] | first release version = ''[[Bill Walsh College Football]]'' | first release date = June 1993 | latest release version =''[[EA Sports College Football 26]]'' | latest release date = July 10, 2025 (Standard Edition) July 7, 2025 (Deluxe Edition) | genre = [[sports video game|Sports]] ([[list of American football video games|American football]]) }} '''''EA Sports College Football''''' (formerly known as '''''Bill Walsh College Football''''', '''''College Football USA''''' and '''''NCAA Football''''') is an [[American football]] [[video game]] series developed by [[EA Sports]] in which players control and compete against current [[Football Bowl Subdivision|Division I FBS]] [[college football|college]] teams. It served as a college football counterpart to the ''[[Madden NFL]]'' series. The series began in 1993 with the release of ''[[Bill Walsh College Football]]''. EA eventually acquired the licensing rights to the [[NCAA]] name and officially rechristened the series with the release of ''[[NCAA Football 98]]''.
In July 2013, the NCAA announced that it would not renew its licensing contract with [[Electronic Arts]] because of an ongoing legal dispute regarding the use of player likenesses in the games. However, this contract only covered the use of the NCAA name and related logos, not those of individual schools and conferences, which are negotiated individually or through the [[Collegiate Licensing Company]]. The CLC concurrently announced that it would extend its existing licensing deal with EA through 2017, ensuring that EA Sports could continue the series without the NCAA branding and EA made plans to continue the series under the old ''College Football'' name.<ref name=usatoday-eaclc>{{cite news|title=EA Sports re-ups on college football after NCAA snub|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2013/07/19/ea-sports-college-football-contract-renewed/2570119/|work=USA Today|access-date=21 July 2013|first1=Brent|last1=Schrotenboer|date=July 19, 2013}}</ref><ref name="polygon-cf15" /> However, the series was placed on hiatus in September 2013, following three major conferences pulling their trademark licenses from EA, and uncertainties surrounding the results of lawsuits involving the use of player likenesses in-game.<ref name=nyt-easettle />
In February 2021, [[Electronic Arts]] announced that the series would be returning for [[Ninth generation of video game consoles|next-gen]] platforms no earlier than summer 2023.<ref name="NCAA Football revived">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-is-reviving-its-college-football-series-for-ps5-and-xbox-series-x-but-no-player-names-or-likenesses/1100-6487021/|title=EA Is Reviving Its College Football Series For PS5 And Xbox Series X, But No Player Names Or Likenesses|date=February 2, 2021|website=[[GameSpot]]|language=en-US|access-date=February 2, 2021|first=Eddie|last=Makuch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/ea-sports-college-football-game-next-gen/|title=EA Sports Resurrecting College Football Video Game Series |date=February 2, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://sotsports.com/2021/02/02/ea-sports-college-football/|title=EA Sports is bringing college football back on next-gen consoles |date=2 February 2021 }}</ref> During an interview with [[ESPN.com]] in November 2022, an EA Sports executive revealed that the game would be released in mid-2024 "because of the enormous undertaking of creating the game from scratch".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/35082744 | title=EA Sports to launch college football game in '24 | date=22 November 2022 }}</ref>
Following the commercial success of the franchise's revival, EA Sports announced the continued annualization of the series. According to industry reports in January 2026, the series saw a 20 percent increase in active users compared to the previous year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EA SPORTS FC™ 26 Steam Charts |url=https://steamdb.info/app/3405690/charts/ |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=SteamDB |language=en}}</ref>
== Yearly releases (1993–2014, 2024–present) ==
=== ''Bill Walsh College Football'' === {{Main|Bill Walsh College Football}} ''Bill Walsh College Football'' was released in June 1993 on 4th generation video game consoles, such as the [[Sega Genesis]].
''Bill Walsh College Football'' featured the top 24 college football teams from 1992 and 24 of the all-time greatest teams since 1978. While no actual players were named and no official team logos used, colleges were listed by city and players identified by number. Play modes include exhibition, playoffs, and all-time playoffs. Sixty-eight classic college plays were available, including the triple option, student body, and wishbone.
Other options and features include automatic or manual-pass catch mode, audible, reverse angle replay, onside kicks, four weather conditions (fair, windy, rain, and snow), three different quarter lengths (5, 10, and 15 minutes), and a hurry-up offense.
The [[Bill Walsh (American football coach)|Bill Walsh]] endorsement was meant to parallel [[John Madden]]'s endorsement of ''[[Madden NFL]]''; Walsh at the time was head coach of the [[Stanford Cardinal football]] team. {{clear right}}
=== ''Bill Walsh College Football '95'' === {{Main|Bill Walsh College Football '95}}
''Bill Walsh College Football '95'' was the second installment of the college football franchise and the first to have a year.
The game featured 36 Division I-A teams, a windowless passing mode, customizable seasons from one to sixteen weeks, and complete statistical tracking throughout the season. Players could choose either a playoff system or bowl games with fictional names: Maple Bowl, Palm Bowl, Pecan Bowl, and Redwood Bowl.
''Bill Walsh College Football 95'' also provided 36 new plays and formations including the Wishbone, [[Veer]], Tee Offense, and 4-4 D. {{clear right}}
=== ''College Football USA 96'' === {{Main|College Football USA 96}}
The series was renamed ''College Football USA 96'', and was the first version to feature all (108 at the time) Division l-A teams. It was also the first in the series to feature real bowl games (Orange, Sugar, Fiesta, and Rose). Players could play an entire 11-game season (or shorter if desired) before advancing to one of the bowl games.
There were 400 plays from which to choose, and a new passing mode allowed players to select from five receivers on every play. Other new features and options included the following: four-player mode, three different game lengths, substitutions, injuries, audible, fake snaps, spins, hurdles, dives, blocked kicks, interceptions, and laterals
=== ''College Football USA 97'' === {{Main|College Football USA 97}}
''College Football USA 97'' was the fourth installment of the series. While the game was published for the Genesis by EA Sports as usual, the Super NES version was instead published by [[THQ]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=16-Bit's Last Stand |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=89|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=December 1996 |page=179}}</ref> The game featured [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|University of Nebraska]] quarterback [[Tommie Frazier]] on the cover. {{clear right}}
=== ''NCAA Football 98'' === {{Main|NCAA Football '98}}
''NCAA Football 98'' was released in 1997. The game featured [[Florida Gators football|University of Florida]] quarterback and [[Heisman Trophy]] winner [[Danny Wuerffel]] on the cover.
{{clear right}}
=== ''NCAA Football 99'' === {{Main|NCAA Football 99}}
''NCAA Football 99'' was the sixth edition of the game. The game featured [[Michigan Wolverines football|University of Michigan]] cornerback and [[Heisman Trophy]] winner [[Charles Woodson]] on the cover. Its tagline read ''Desire+Pride=Victory!''.
The game featured all 112 Division I-A teams at the time and also featured 3D, polygon-rendered players for the first time in the franchise's history. Additional features included the ability to create players, edit player names, sixty fight songs and crowd chants. Over eighty historical teams were added to the game, as well. The Heisman Memorial Trophy replaces the 'EA Sports MVP" trophy and other awards are given out. Recruiting is simple and done in a serpentine draft system. The Rose Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and Sugar Bowl are now playable, and the other Bowls played have EA Sports as the sponsor. Created players from this game can be imported to the title ''[[Madden NFL 99]]''. It featured no commentary by booth announcers; instead a PA announcer provides the commentary. Unlike the current games in this franchise, ''NCAA 99'' featured an optional 16 team playoff at the end of the season in dynasty mode.
=== ''NCAA Football 2000'' === {{Main|NCAA Football 2000}}
''NCAA Football 2000'', released only for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], featured [[Texas Longhorns football|University of Texas]] running back and [[Heisman Trophy]] winner [[Ricky Williams]] on the cover.
The game included all 114 Division I-A schools and 26 from [[Division I-AA]]. It also featured new 3D polygon-rendered players, which are fully displayed in multiple camera angles during gameplay.
Other notable additions include coaching tips, 23 bowls (up from four), the ability to edit new plays, and the official Heisman Trophy award. {{clear right}}
=== ''NCAA Football 2001'' === {{Main|NCAA Football 2001}}
''NCAA Football 2001'', released only for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], featured [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|University of Alabama]] running back [[Shaun Alexander]] on the cover.
This version included Create-a-player, Create-a-school, Custom League (up to eight teams, double round-robin, plus playoff), Custom Tournament (up to 16 teams, double elimination), as well as fully customizable Season/Dynasty schedules. This was also the final installment which offered a playoff at the end of the season in dynasty mode (24 teams). {{clear right}}
=== ''NCAA Football 2002'' === {{Main|NCAA Football 2002}}
''NCAA Football 2002'', released only for the [[PlayStation 2]], featured [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]] quarterback and [[Heisman Trophy]] winner [[Chris Weinke]] on the cover.
This was the first version released for PlayStation 2; it lacked features (such as Custom League, Custom Tournament, and Create-a-school) that were present in the previous year's PlayStation edition.
The game featured a new ''Campus Cards'' rewards system, which allowed players to unlock special features in the game such as historical teams or special stadiums. It was also the first entry in the season to rank the top 25 teams in the nation. {{clear right}}
=== ''NCAA Football 2003'' === {{Main|NCAA Football 2003}}
''NCAA Football 2003'', released for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox, featured [[Oregon Ducks football|University of Oregon]] quarterback [[Joey Harrington]] on the cover.
New features in this version included over 200 licensed fight songs, 3D cheerleaders and 144 different schools.
Dynasty mode was enhanced with the ability to redshirt a player and schedule non-conference games before each season. Trophies and awards, modeled after real-life college football awards, was another feature new to this version. Players could win trophies by playing games and could add them to a personal collection which is shown off in a trophy room. These awards include the Heisman, Coach of the Year and Bowl-specific trophies. The game featured 23 different rivalry trophies that were created to represent their real-life counterparts.
Create-A-School mode returned in this edition of the game after being absent from the previous year. The game also featured a customizable interface for the first time. Player could choose their favorite teams and the game interface would be based around the team's fight song, mascot, logos and school colors.
=== ''NCAA Football 2004'' === {{Main|NCAA Football 2004}}
''[[NCAA Football 2004]]'', released for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox, featured [[USC Trojans football|University of Southern California]] quarterback and [[Heisman Trophy]] winner [[Carson Palmer]] on the cover.
This edition featured the return of gameplay modes seen in previous versions such as Dynasty Mode.
The College Classics mode was introduced in this version and allowed players to replay classic games in college football history. New tackling animations and more realistic zone defenses were also included. {{clear right}}
=== ''NCAA Football 2005'' === {{Main|NCAA Football 2005}}
''[[NCAA Football 2005]]'', the last game in the series to have the full year on the cover and released for the PlayStation 2, [[GameCube]], and Xbox, featured [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|University of Pittsburgh]] wide receiver [[Larry Fitzgerald]] on the cover.
This version introduced more fan interaction in the game. The home team's defense can incite the crowd to make noise, making it difficult for the offense to hear the quarterback's audibles. This feature, dubbed "home field advantage", allowed stadium influence and energy to swing a game's momentum if strong enough. The game ranked the "Top 25 Toughest Places to Play", which included famous stadiums such as Florida's "[[Ben Hill Griffin Stadium|Swamp]]" and LSU's "[[Tiger Stadium (LSU)|Death Valley]]", where this feature would be felt more strongly.
The new "Match-Up Stick" feature allowed players to match up more experienced and skilled players on younger, less-talented ones to exploit matchup problems.
All Division I-A schools were included in the game along with more than 70 [[Football Championship Subdivision|I-AA]] schools. Signature fan celebrations, such as the "Gator Chomp" and "Texas Hook 'Em Horns" were included. {{clear right}}
=== ''NCAA Football 06'' === {{Main|NCAA Football 06}}
''[[NCAA Football 06]]'' has features that include the Dynasty mode, wherein the player act as a team's head coach, both on and off the field. Aside from weekly games, the player also controls recruiting freshman for the next year's season; new to the 2006 version is in-season recruiting.
Another new feature in the 2006 game is the ''Race for the Heisman'' mode, in which the player takes on the role of a single player attempting to win the [[Heisman Trophy]]. ''Race for the Heisman'' begins with the user selecting which position they want their character to be. The player then completes a workout for college scouts and you are offered scholarships to three different schools. The quality of football programs that offer scholarships depends on how well the player did in the workout. The player can either choose to accept one of the scholarships or walk on at any Division I school. After selecting what school to play for the player is automatically placed in the starting line up. Year after year the player's attributes increase depending on the previous seasons performance with the ultimate goal of winning the [[Heisman Trophy]].
[[Desmond Howard]], a Heisman-winning player from the [[Michigan Wolverines football|University of Michigan]], is on the cover. This is a slight break in tradition as the ''NCAA Football'' series traditionally featured an NFL rookie on the cover of the game, with an action shot of him wearing his college jersey from the previous year. The game was released for the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]. {{clear right}}
=== ''NCAA Football 07'' === {{Main|NCAA Football 07}}
''[[NCAA Football 07]]'' was released on July 18, 2006, and was the series' first release on both the [[Xbox 360]] and [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]]. [[USC Trojans football|University of Southern California]] running back and [[Heisman Trophy]] winner [[Reggie Bush]] is featured on the game's cover.{{ref|bushoncover}} FCS teams were not featured on next gen consoles, but were available still on previous gen consoles.
This version of the game utilized a feature called ''Turn the Tide'', which consisted of a momentum meter on the score graphic at the top or bottom of the screen. A boost in momentum for a team would increase the performance of all players and boost their attributes by a varying amount.
This version also included spring drills, an update to the Race for the Heisman mode called Campus Legend (which plays more like NFL Superstar mode in ''Madden''), [[ESPN]] integration, and a spring game in Dynasty and Campus Legend modes. {{clear right}}
=== ''NCAA Football 08'' === {{Main|NCAA Football 08}}
''[[NCAA Football 08]]'' was released on July 17, 2007. The cover athlete is [[Boise State Broncos football|Boise State University]] quarterback [[Jared Zabransky]].
Some of the new features for this version include Leadership Control, which allows players who perform well to "lead by example" and control the action on the field and increase their sphere of influence by improving their players' personal ratings on each big play. The game also features a new and deeper recruiting system and an all-new Campus Legend mode. This was the first version of the game released on the [[PlayStation 3]]. {{clear right}}
=== ''NCAA Football 09'' === {{Main|NCAA Football 09}}
''[[NCAA Football 09]]'' was released July 15, 2008. It was released on all 7th generation consoles, including, for the first and only time, the [[Wii]].<ref name= wii>[http://www.pastapadre.com/2335/wii-ncaa-football-09-confirmed-and-cover-mascot-challenge-begins Wii NCAA Football 09 confirmed and cover mascot challenge begins | pastapadre.com]</ref> The covers featured the following college football figures: * [[PlayStation 2]] — [[DeSean Jackson]], wide receiver/[[return specialist]], [[California Golden Bears football|California]] * [[PlayStation 3]] — [[Matt Ryan (American football)|Matt Ryan]], quarterback, [[Boston College Eagles football|Boston College]] * [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]] — [[Owen Schmitt]], [[Fullback (American football)|fullback]], [[West Virginia Mountaineers football|West Virginia]] * [[Wii]] — [[Sparty]], [[mascot]], [[Michigan State Spartans|Michigan State]] * [[Xbox 360]] — [[Darren McFadden]], [[running back]], [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas]] {{clear right}}
=== ''NCAA Football 10'' === {{Main|NCAA Football 10}}
''[[NCAA Football 10]]'' was released on July 14, 2009. The covers feature the following former college players: * [[PlayStation 2]] — [[Brian Orakpo]], [[defensive end]]/[[linebacker]], [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]] * [[PlayStation 3]] — [[Brian Johnson (American football coach)|Brian Johnson]], [[quarterback]], [[Utah Utes football|Utah]] * [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]] — [[Mark Sanchez]], quarterback, [[USC Trojans football|USC]] * [[Xbox 360]] — [[Michael Crabtree]], [[wide receiver]], [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Texas Tech]]
The game added Teambuilder, a feature accessed by the EA Sports Teambuilder website. This would be the replacement for Create-A-School. Teambuilder's website was an online accessible mode, where teams that were made via the site could be downloaded by other users.
=== ''NCAA Football 11'' === {{Main|NCAA Football 11}}
''[[NCAA Football 11]]'' was released on July 13, 2010. It was released on all next generation consoles, with the exception of the [[Wii]]. The cover athlete for all three versions is former [[Florida Gators football|Florida]] quarterback [[Tim Tebow]].
This was the last version of the game released for the [[PlayStation 2]], and the only version released for [[iOS (Apple)|iOS]].{{citation needed|date=August 2017}} {{clear right}}
=== ''NCAA Football 12'' === {{Main|NCAA Football 12}}
''NCAA Football 12'' was released on July 12, 2011 on PS3 and Xbox 360. The cover athlete was [[Heisman Trophy]] winner [[Mark Ingram II]] of the [[University of Alabama football|University of Alabama]]. {{clear right}}
=== ''NCAA Football 13'' === {{Main|NCAA Football 13}}
''NCAA Football 13'' was released on July 10, 2012. The game's cover features [[Heisman Trophy]] winner [[Robert Griffin III]] of [[Baylor Bears football|Baylor]], along with another Heisman winner ([[Barry Sanders]] from [[Oklahoma State Cowboys football|Oklahoma State]]), who was decided by fan voting. Sanders was picked over [[Marcus Allen]], [[Doug Flutie]], [[Desmond Howard]], [[Charlie Ward]], [[Andre Ware]], [[Eddie George]], and [[Herschel Walker]] during the voting process. {{clear right}}
=== ''NCAA Football 14'' === {{Main|NCAA Football 14}}
''NCAA Football 14'', the final installment in the series prior to its 11-year hiatus, was released on July 9, 2013. The game's cover features former [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan]] quarterback [[Denard Robinson]], who was decided by fan voting. Robinson was picked over [[Eddie Lacy]], [[Kenjon Barner]], [[Jarvis Jones]], [[EJ Manuel]], [[Ryan Swope]], [[John Simon (defensive lineman)|John Simon]], and [[Tyler Eifert]] during the voting process.
=== ''EA Sports College Football 25'' === {{Main|EA Sports College Football 25}}
''EA Sports College Football 25'' was released on July 19, 2024 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. It is the first installment in the resumption of the series after an 11-year hiatus. The game's cover features [[Quinn Ewers]], quarterback for the [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas Longhorns]]; [[Travis Hunter]], wide receiver and cornerback for the [[Colorado Buffaloes football|Colorado Buffaloes]]; and [[Donovan Edwards]], running back for the [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan Wolverines]].
=== ''EA Sports College Football 26'' === {{Main|EA Sports College Football 26}}
''EA Sports College Football 26'' was released on July 10, 2025. With [[Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football|Delaware]] and [[Missouri State Bears football|Missouri State]] joining the FBS level, they were added to the game. The cover athletes are Alabama's [[Ryan Williams (wide receiver)|Ryan Williams]] and Ohio State's [[Jeremiah Smith (American football)|Jeremiah Smith]], both wide receivers.<ref>{{cite web |title=EA Sports College Football 26 release date revealed |url=https://www.espn.com/gaming/story/_/id/44850638/ea-sports-college-football-26-release-date |website=ESPN |date=April 25, 2025 |access-date=25 April 2025}}</ref>
The game further expanded on features like the [[NCAA transfer portal]] and the [[College Football Playoff]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Eric Van |date=2025-05-27 |title=EA Sports College Football 26 Cover Reveal Features Both Stars And The People Behind Them |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/ea-sports-college-football-26-cover-reveal-features-both-stars-and-the-people-behind-them |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
==Cover athletes== {|class="wikitable" |+List of Standard Cover Star !scope=col rowspan=2| Game !scope=col colspan=3| Cover Star |- !scope=col| Name ! scope="col" | Team !scope=col| Position |- | ''[[Bill Walsh College Football]]'' ('94) || rowspan='2' | [[Bill Walsh (American football coach)|Bill Walsh]] || rowspan="2" | [[Stanford Cardinal football|Stanford]]|| rowspan="2" | Head coach |- | ''[[Bill Walsh College Football '95]]'' |- | rowspan='5' | ''[[College Football USA 96]]'' || Generic wide receiver || [[Kansas State Wildcats football|Kansas State]]|| Wide receiver |- | Generic running back || [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan]]|| Running back |- | Generic player head || [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]]|| Helmet |- | [[Tommy Trojan]] || [[USC Trojans football|USC]]|| Mascot |- | [[University of Wisconsin Marching Band]] || [[Wisconsin Badgers football|Wisconsin]]|| Marching band |- | ''[[College Football USA 97]]'' || [[Tommie Frazier]] || [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska]]|| rowspan="2" | Quarterback |- | ''[[NCAA Football 98]]'' || [[Danny Wuerffel]] || [[Florida Gators football|Florida]] |- | ''[[NCAA Football 99]]'' || [[Charles Woodson]] || [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan]]|| Cornerback |- | ''[[NCAA Football 2000]]'' || [[Ricky Williams]] || [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]]|| rowspan="2" | Running back |- | ''[[NCAA Football 2001]]'' || [[Shaun Alexander]] || [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]] |- | ''[[NCAA Football 2002]]'' || [[Chris Weinke]] || [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]]|| rowspan="3" | Quarterback |- | ''[[NCAA Football 2003]]'' || [[Joey Harrington]] || [[Oregon Ducks football|Oregon]] |- | ''[[NCAA Football 2004]]'' || [[Carson Palmer]] || [[USC Trojans football|USC]] |- | ''[[NCAA Football 2005]]'' || [[Larry Fitzgerald]] || [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|Pittsburgh]]|| rowspan="2" | Wide receiver |- | ''[[NCAA Football 06]]'' || [[Desmond Howard]] || [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan]] |- | ''[[NCAA Football 07]]'' || [[Reggie Bush]] || [[USC Trojans football|USC]]|| Running back |- | ''[[NCAA Football 08]]'' || [[Jared Zabransky]] || [[Boise State Broncos football|Boise State]]|| Quarterback |- | rowspan='5' | ''[[NCAA Football 09]]'' || [[DeSean Jackson]] ([[PS2]]) || [[California Golden Bears football|California]]|| Wide receiver |- | [[Matt Ryan (American football)|Matt Ryan]] ([[PS3]]) || [[Boston College Eagles football|Boston College]]|| Quarterback |- | [[Owen Schmitt]] ([[PlayStation Portable|PSP]]) || [[West Virginia Mountaineers football|West Virginia]]|| Fullback |- | [[Sparty]] ([[Wii]]) || [[Michigan State Spartans football|Michigan State]]|| Mascot |- | [[Darren McFadden]] ([[Xbox 360]]) || [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas]]|| Running back |- | rowspan='4' | ''[[NCAA Football 10]]'' || [[Brian Orakpo]] ([[PS2]]) || [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]]|| Linebacker |- | [[Brian Johnson (American football coach)|Brian Johnson]] ([[PS3]]) || [[Utah Utes football|Utah]]|| rowspan="2" | Quarterback |- | [[Mark Sanchez]] ([[PlayStation Portable|PSP]]) || [[USC Trojans football|USC]] |- | [[Michael Crabtree]] ([[Xbox 360]]) || [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Texas Tech]]|| Wide receiver |- | ''[[NCAA Football 11]]'' || [[Tim Tebow]] || [[Florida Gators football|Florida]]|| Quarterback |- | ''[[NCAA Football 12]]'' || [[Mark Ingram II]] || [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]]|| Running back |- | rowspan='2' | ''[[NCAA Football 13]]'' || [[Robert Griffin III]] || [[Baylor Bears football|Baylor]]|| Quarterback |- | [[Barry Sanders]] || [[Oklahoma State Cowboys football|Oklahoma State]]|| Running back |- | ''[[NCAA Football 14]]'' || [[Denard Robinson]] || [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan]]|| Quarterback |- | rowspan='3' | ''[[EA Sports College Football 25]]'' || [[Quinn Ewers]] || [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]]|| Quarterback |- | [[Travis Hunter]] || [[Colorado Buffaloes football|Colorado]]|| Cornerback/Wide receiver |- | [[Donovan Edwards]] || [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan]]|| Running back |- | rowspan='2' | ''[[EA Sports College Football 26]]'' || [[Ryan Williams (wide receiver)|Ryan Williams]]|| [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]]|| rowspan="2" | Wide receiver |- | [[Jeremiah Smith (American football)|Jeremiah Smith]] || [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Ohio State]] |}
== Future of the series == Due to legal disputes between the NCAA, Electronic Arts, college athletes, and others regarding the usage of college athletes' likenesses in video games (which had been barred by the NCAA because of the concept of [[amateurism in sport|sport amateurism]]), the association did not renew its licensing deal with EA. However, the expiration of the license only affected the use of the NCAA's trademarks in the games. Teams and other events are licensed from schools individually or through organizations such as the [[Collegiate Licensing Company]]—which announced on the same day that they would extend its own licensing deal with EA through 2017. EA therefore ensured that with its existing deals in place, it would still be able to produce future versions of the franchise without the NCAA license (as it did prior to 1997). EA Sports' executive vice president Andrew Wilson announced that the next edition of the franchise was already in development, and would "[still] feature the college teams, leagues, and all the innovation fans expect from EA Sports."<ref name=usatoday-eaclc /><ref name=kotaku-eancaa>{{cite web |last=Good |first=Owen |date=July 21, 2013 |url=https://kotaku.com/ea-sports-didnt-need-the-ncaas-logo-and-maybe-it-did-860124604 |title=EA Sports Didn't Need the NCAA's Logo, and Maybe It Didn't Want It |website=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |access-date=July 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Goldfarb|first=Andrew|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/07/17/ncaa-will-not-renew-ea-sports-contract|title=NCAA Will Not Renew WA Sports Contract|website=[[IGN]]|date=July 17, 2013|access-date=July 17, 2013}}</ref>
However, after the [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]], [[Big Ten Conference|Big Ten]], and [[Pac-12 Conference|Pac-12]] conferences announced that they would not license their trademarks to EA, the company announced on September 26, 2013 that it would not make a college football game for 2014.<ref name=nyt-easettle>{{cite news|title=E.A. Sports Settles Lawsuit With College Athletes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/27/sports/ncaafootball/ea-sports-wont-make-college-video-game-in-2014.html?_r=0|work=The New York Times|access-date=27 September 2013|first=Steve|last=Eder|date=September 26, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/08/14/eas-college-football-games-lose-the-sec-branding|title=EA's College Football Games Lose the SEC Branding|last=Pereira|first=Chris|website=IGN|date=August 14, 2013|access-date=August 15, 2013}}</ref> EA had plans to continue the series with a focus on user-generated content under the old ''College Football'' name, but the planned game was eventually canceled.<ref name="polygon-cf15">{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/10/25/20932385/ncaa-football-15-canceled-leak-ps3-xbox-360|last=Good|first=Owen S.|date=October 25, 2019|access-date=October 27, 2019|work=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media|title=Here is EA Sports' plan for its canceled NCAA Football game}}</ref>
During the series' hiatus, Madden sporadically made use of college football teams. Oregon and Texas licensed their team names for the story mode in ''[[Madden NFL 18]]''<ref name="SportingNews">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/news/ncaa-football-video-game-series-return-ncaa-19-obannon-ea-sports-possible-resolution/1qpe2h09we8wl16w4qnm7t65ib|title='NCAA Football': Why video game series hasn't returned five years after last release|publisher=Sporting News Media|date=July 10, 2018|last=Wiedey|first=Bryan|access-date=July 17, 2018|archive-date=October 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002164039/https://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/news/ncaa-football-video-game-series-return-ncaa-19-obannon-ea-sports-possible-resolution/1qpe2h09we8wl16w4qnm7t65ib|url-status=dead}}</ref> and ''[[Madden NFL 20]]'' included 10 licensed college teams for its career storyline ''QB1: Face of the Franchise''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/4/25/18516480/madden-nfl-20-cover-release-date-ea-sports-ncaa-football|title=Madden NFL 20 brings back NCAA Football teams for new career mode|last=Good|first=Owen S.|date=2019-04-25|website=Polygon|access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref>
''NCAA Football 14'', the last edition of the game released prior to the series' hiatus, continued to be played by fans, including actual college football players. Unofficial updates have been released to reflect current rosters.<ref name="ESPN5">{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/24057914/ncaa-football-ea-sports-lives-five-years-demise|title='A labor of love' keeps NCAA Football video game alive|date=July 12, 2018|access-date=July 17, 2018|work=ESPN|last=Scarborough|first=Alex}}</ref> On October 29, 2019 the NCAA's board of governors voted unanimously to institute new rules allowing student athletes to profit from the use of their name, image, and likeness.<ref>Witz, Billy, [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/29/sports/ncaafootball/ncaa-athlete-pay.html "N.C.A.A. Considers Loosening Rules for Athletes Seeking Outside Deals"], ''The New York Times'', October 29, 2019.</ref> The changes were set to take effect no later than January 2021.<ref>Potter, Andrew Joe, [https://www.thescore.com/wcbk/news/1866317/ncaa-opens-door-for-athletes-to-profit-from-name-image-likeness "NCAA opens door for athletes to profit from name, image, likeness"], theScore.com, October 29, 2019.</ref> This development caused many to speculate that a new ''NCAA Football'' game would finally be released in the near future.<ref>Al-Khateeb, Zac, [https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/ncaa-football-fans-freaking-out-over-potential-return-of-beloved-video-game-franchise/jtu3c5rxlj6g13nwbmc9c00pi "'NCAA Football' fans freaking out over potential return of beloved video game franchise"], Sporting News, October 29, 2019.</ref>
=== ''EA Sports College Football'' === On February 2, 2021, EA Sports announced that the series ''NCAA Football'' would return under the name ''EA Sports College Football'', stating on [[Twitter]], "For those who never stopped believing...College Football is coming back."<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=February 2, 2021|title=For those who never stopped believing...|url=https://twitter.com/EASPORTS/status/1356644353901539342|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=February 3, 2021|website=[[Twitter]]}}</ref> They also released a statement on their website announcing that they had garnered and are utilizing a partnership with the [[Collegiate Licensing Company]], an NCAA licensing group, to bring uniforms, stadiums, traditions and more from over 100 NCAA-affiliated sports teams. At the time, that meant that teams not part of the CLC would not be in the game such as [[Air Force Falcons football|Air Force]], [[Army Black Knights football|Army]], [[Georgia State Panthers football|Georgia State]], [[Kentucky Wildcats football|Kentucky]], [[New Mexico Lobos football|New Mexico]], [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football|Notre Dame]], [[Troy Trojans football|Troy]] and [[USC Trojans football|USC]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-23|title=Kentucky may not be in EA Sports' new college football game {{!}} Kentucky Sports Radio|url=https://kentuckysportsradio.com/football-2/kentucky-may-not-be-in-ea-sports-new-college-football-game/|access-date=2021-02-23|language=en-US}}</ref>
Despite this setback, ultimately, on February 22, 2024, EA Sports confirmed in a post on [[Twitter|X]] that all 134 [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|Football Bowl Subdivision]] (FBS) programs would be featured in ''[[EA Sports College Football 25]]'' but the 128 [[NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision|Football Championship Subdivision]] (FCS) programs would not be included at launch.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/EASPORTSCollege/status/1760681095732080833|title =They're in the game. College Football 25 will feature all 134 FBS schools #CFB25| date=February 22, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ea-sports-college-football-25-how-players-will-be-compensated-as-all-134-fbs-schools-join-video-game-relaunch/|title=EA Sports College Football 25: How players will be compensated as all 134 FBS schools join video game relaunch|first=Will|last=Backus|date=February 2024|work=CBS Sports}}</ref>
On May 16, 2024, EA Sports revealed the main cover for ''EA Sports College Football 25'' and officially confirmed the game would release on July 19, 2024, ahead of a planned full reveal the following day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lyles |first=Taylor |date=2024-05-16 |title=College Football 25 Finally Has a Release Date |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/ea-sports-college-football-25-release-date |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> Following the release of the trailer, EA Sports confirmed that many of its old features from NCAA Football 14 would be brought to College Football 25, such as Team Builder, Road to Glory, and Dynasty.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arts |first=Electronic |date=2024-05-17 |title=WELCOME TO COLLEGE FOOTBALL 25 - EA SPORTS |url=https://www.ea.com/games/ea-sports-college-football/college-football-25/news/welcome-to-college-football-25 |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=Electronic Arts Inc. |language=en}}</ref>
In a July 2025 video the youtuber SOFTDRINKTV confirmed via a journalist from insider gaming who filed a [[Freedom of Information Act (United States)|FOIA]] request that EA Sports has an exclusive license to produce action simulation video games from the [[Collegiate Licensing Company]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0Cty2qV2NA |title=EA is Bringing Back College Basketball… With a Catch |date=2025-07-04 |last=SOFTDRINKTV |access-date=2025-07-04 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
== Player names == {{expand section|date=July 2013}} During the initial run of the series (1993-2014), players' real names and specific likenesses were not used, unlike the ''[[Madden NFL]]'' series, which does use real player names and likenesses, and compensates players for the use of their image. This was due to NCAA restrictions on the amateur status of athletes at the time. Additionally, current college players could not be used as cover athletes. Instead, each cover featured a player whose college eligibility ended the season before the game's release, wearing his former college uniform. The only two exceptions were the [[Wii]] version of ''NCAA Football 09'', which featured [[Sparty]], the mascot of [[Michigan State Spartans|Michigan State University]], on the cover, and ''NCAA Football 06'' when [[Desmond Howard]] was featured on the cover striking the [[Heisman Trophy]] pose during his career at Michigan, despite not having played for Michigan for more than 15 years.
Although EA Sports did not claim that the players in the game represent real life players, the jersey number, position, height, weight, home state, and ethnicity were all aligned with the real players. Fans of any particular team were sure to recognize their favorite players (for example, in ''NCAA Football 14'', [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]] QB #5 would correspond to [[Jameis Winston]]), however actual usage of a player's real name would be in violation of the NCAA's policy regarding student athletes. Amateur "roster makers" would often manually associate player names and will upload a roster file to the built-in roster sharing system. As of ''NCAA Football 09'', EA has put in the EA Locker feature which allows remote roster sharing online through either [[Xbox Live]] or [[PlayStation Network]] depending on the console.
For the new run of the series starting in 2024, players will be able to have their names in the game, though players may opt out if they refuse to agree to EA's terms. For ''EA Sports College Football 25'', the payment was $600 and a copy of the game in exchange for a player's name and likeness.
== Soundtracks == Prior to the release of ''NCAA Football 06'', the only music featured in the game were [[fight songs]] of most FBS and FCS colleges featured in the game. These would play at random, however the user-selected "favorite team" would always have their fight song played first whenever the game was first started.
''NCAA Football 06'' was the first and only entry in the series to include licensed music to keep the series in uniform with other EA Sports releases of the time, such as [[Madden NFL]] and the [[NHL (video game series)|NHL series]].
''NCAA Football 07'' returned to the fight song only format.
''NCAA Football 08'' added a cinematic theme song to the main menu, with fight songs playing during Dynasty Mode.
''NCAA Football 09'' allows a new custom stadium sounds feature allowing users to edit what sounds are heard at specific stadiums during events within the game, such as a touchdown, field goal, or timeout. Fans of the teams can now create an authentic experience in each stadium by using copyrighted songs that EA is not allowed to put into the game.
''NCAA Football 10'' plays [[Tick Tick Boom (song)|”Tick Tick Boom”]] by [[The Hives]] in the introduction only.
''NCAA Football 11'' uses the music that is used in ''[[ESPN College Football]]'' coverage.
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * [https://web.archive.org/web/20140404123803/http://www.easports.com/ncaa-football Official website] (archived, 4 Apr 2014)
{{Electronic Arts}} {{NCAA Football games}}
[[Category:EA Sports College Football| ]] [[Category:College football video games]] [[Category:EA Sports games]] [[Category:Electronic Arts franchises]] [[Category:NCAA video games|*]] [[Category:Sports video games by series]] [[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1993]]