The roar of the digital crowd is almost here! As the highly anticipated EA Sports College Football 26 prepares for its worldwide launch on July 10, 2025, the excitement among college football enthusiasts has reached a fever pitch.1 A significant part of this build-up has been the drip-feed release of player ratings, a constant source of debate and anticipation. In the latest unveiling, one program has unequivocally staked its claim as a dominant force on the virtual gridiron: the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who are shining brightly with elite players ranked among the nation’s best on both sides of the ball.2
While Ohio State’s dynamic duo, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (98 OVR, the game’s highest-rated player) and safety Caleb Downs (96 OVR, the highest-rated defender), have rightfully grabbed headlines as the game’s top talents, Notre Dame has quietly emerged with a remarkable concentration of top-tier players that positions them as a virtual powerhouse.3
Leading the charge for the Fighting Irish offense is junior running back Jeremiyah Love, who has been bestowed with an impressive 95 overall rating.5 This places him as the third-highest-rated offensive player in the entire game, trailing only the cover athletes Jeremiah Smith and Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams (also 95 OVR).6
Love’s astronomical rating is a direct reflection of his breakout sophomore season in 2024, where he was Notre Dame’s offensive catalyst during their run to the National Championship Game.7 He reportedly amassed a staggering 1,125 rushing yards on a remarkable 6.9 yards per carry, along with 17 touchdowns. A highlight reel play included a thrilling 98-yard touchdown run against Indiana in the College Football Playoff.8
In College Football 26, Love’s attributes paint a picture of an elite, game-breaking talent:
- Speed (95 rating): The highest among all running backs in the game, making him a nightmare to contain in open space.
- Agility (93 rating) & Change of Direction (92 rating): These high marks indicate his elusiveness and ability to make defenders miss with quick cuts and lateral movements.9
- Injury (93 rating): A high injury rating is crucial in a game that features a “Wear & Tear” system, suggesting Love will be durable and consistently available for your dynasty.
- Awareness (88 rating): While slightly lower than his other elite attributes, it still represents a solid understanding of game situations.
- Strength (75 rating): His lowest rating, which suggests he might not consistently break tackles purely on power, but his speed and agility compensate for it.
For players taking control of Notre Dame, Jeremiyah Love will be the undeniable centerpiece of the offense, capable of turning any handoff into a house call and providing a dynamic threat in the passing game.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Fighting Irish boast another elite talent in sophomore cornerback Leonard Moore, who commands a 93 overall rating.10 This makes him the eighth-highest-rated defensive player in the game and the second-highest-rated cornerback, trailing only Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy (94 OVR).11
Moore’s rapid ascent reflects his exceptional play in his freshman season, establishing himself as a shutdown corner. His key attributes in the game highlight his coverage prowess:
- Speed (92 rating): Crucial for keeping pace with the fastest receivers in college football.
- Agility (94 rating) & Change of Direction (93 rating): These stellar ratings enable him to mirror receivers’ movements, break on the ball, and maintain tight coverage.
- Injury (93 rating): Like Love, Moore’s high injury rating underscores his reliability.
- Awareness (86 rating): A strong awareness rating indicates his ability to read routes and diagnose plays.
- Strength (65 rating): Similar to Love, Moore’s strength is his lowest attribute, suggesting a need for physical development in the weight room, according to the game’s ratings. However, his elite coverage skills easily compensate for this.
With Leonard Moore anchoring the secondary, Notre Dame players will have a formidable weapon to lock down opposing wide receivers and make crucial plays on the ball.
Beyond Love and Moore, Notre Dame also features two more players among the top 100 rated athletes in College Football 26, showcasing the overall talent depth on the roster:
- Malachai Fields (91 OVR):12 A wide receiver, Fields contributes to the Irish’s offensive potency. His ratings include 91 speed, 93 awareness, and solid marks in agility and injury.
- Aamil Wagner (91 OVR): An offensive tackle, Wagner’s high rating is crucial for protecting the quarterback and opening running lanes for Love. His strength (87) and awareness (93) are particular highlights for an offensive lineman.
The individual brilliance of these players translates directly to Notre Dame’s overall team rating. The Fighting Irish stand tall with an 88 overall rating, placing them in a five-way tie for the fifth-highest team in the nation, alongside powerhouses like Ohio State, Penn State, Georgia, and Texas A&M.13 Only Alabama (89 OVR) edges them out.
Specifically, Notre Dame’s overall ratings are broken down as follows:
- Overall: 88
- Offense: [High 80s, likely 88-90, leveraging Love’s 95 OVR]
- Defense: [High 80s to low 90s, leveraging Moore’s 93 OVR]
This balanced strength on both offense and defense makes Notre Dame an incredibly attractive team to play with in College Football 26. Users will find a dominant ground game, a formidable passing attack, and a shutdown defense, providing a well-rounded and highly competitive experience.
College Football 26 is not just about ratings; it’s packed with new features designed to enhance realism and strategic depth.14 Players utilizing Notre Dame’s elite talents will benefit from:
- Dynamic Substitutions: Allows for smoother gameplay by subbing players in and out during plays without pausing.15
- Physics-Based Tackling (PBT): Makes tackling more realistic and impactful, showcasing the strength of defensive players like Moore.
- Improved Blocking & Custom Zones: Offensive linemen like Wagner will feel more impactful, while defensive players can make more precise coverage adjustments.
- “Wear & Tear” System: Player fatigue and injury risk are more dynamic, making high “Injury” ratings like Love’s and Moore’s even more valuable.16
- Real-World Coaches: Over 300 real-world coaches, including Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman (who is also featured on the Deluxe Edition cover), bring their unique playstyles and strategies to the game.17
- High School Mode in Road to Glory: Players can now start their journey in high school, working their way to a scholarship offer, potentially to a prestigious program like Notre Dame.
As the July 10th release date approaches, the excitement for College Football 26 is palpable. For Notre Dame fans and players who gravitate towards balanced, dominant teams, the game’s ratings confirm that the Fighting Irish are poised to shine brightly on both sides of the ball, ready to “Bring Glory Home” in the virtual world.
