An Ohio State football player is the highest-rated player in College Football 26

For the first time since the college football video game was brought back, the Buckeyes have the top-rated player in the game.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) makes a catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Christian Gray (29) in the fourth quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) makes a catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Christian Gray (29) in the fourth quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

This time last year, college football fans across the country were excited to get the first college video game in over a decade. When College Football 25 came out, several Ohio State football fans got the game immediately and started to play it the moment it came out.

It's a great game, and now the game has been made even better this year. A few weeks ahead of the release of College Football 26, the Buckeyes have a couple of highly rated players. Caleb Downs is a 96 overall and the highest-rated Buckeye on defense.

Offensively, Jeremiah Smith is the highest-rated Buckeye. He is rated as a 99 overall, which is the highest ranking that a player can receive. Not only is he the highest-rated Ohio State Buckeye, but he's the highest-rated player in the entire game. Smith is the highest-rated player in over a decade.

Ohio State football player Jeremiah Smith earns a 99 OVR in EA Sports College Football 26

Smith was the highest-rated freshman in last year's version of the game, but he obviously made a massive jump in his rating this year. It makes sense. Smith is entering this season as the best player in all of college football. He should be the highest-rated player in the game.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are going to be one of the highest-rated teams in the game, and Ryan Day will be in the game. For the first time, coaches will be in the game. The bones of the game are the same as last year, but some improvements have been made to make it even better.

A lot of Ohio State football fans will be getting the game as soon as it comes out. Smith is on the cover of the game, as he should be. He's one of the faces of college football this year.