Who are the top players in college football? EA Sports is giving possible answers.

With College Football 26 set to be released July 10 − July 7 for early access − EA Sports announced the top offensive and defensive players in the game, as well as who is at the top of each position.

It should be no surprise the top of the list include Heisman Trophy contenders, including the cover athletes of the game in Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith and Alabama receiver Ryan Williams. Other notable people include the other stars of major programs like Notre Dame, Texas and Clemson. While the rankings don’t mean a team will actually have success in the upcoming season, it does give a good indicator of who are the top College Football Playoff contenders.

Here are the top players in EA Sports College Football 26:

EA Sports College Football 26 top offensive players

Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, receiver: 98 overall
Ryan Williams, Alabama, receiver: 95 overall
Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame, running back: 95 overall
Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State, receiver: 94 overall
Kadyn Proctor, Alabama, tackle: 94 overall
Spencer Fano, Utah, tackle: 94 overall
Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M, guard: 93 overall
Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt, tight end: 93 overall
Franicis Mauigoa, Miami, tackle: 93 overall
Nicholas Singleton, Penn State, running back: 93 overall

EA Sports College Football 26 top quarterbacks

Cade Klubnik, Clemson: 92 overall
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU: 92 overall
Drew Allar, Penn State: 92 overall
Sam Leavitt, Arizona State: 91 overall
Lanorris Sellers, South Carolina: 91 overall

EA Sports College Football 26 top running backs

Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame: 95 overall
Nicholas Singleton, Penn State: 93 overall
Isaac Brown, Louisville: 93 overall
Jonah Coleman, Washington: 93 overall
Mahki Hughes, Oregon: 92 overall

EA Sports College Football 26 top receivers

Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State: 98 overall
Ryan Williams, Alabama: 95 overall
Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State: 94 overall
Elijah Sarratt, Indiana: 93 overall
Eric Rivers, Georgia Tech: 92 overall

EA Sports College Football 26 top tight ends

Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt: 93 overall
Tanner Koziol, Houston: 92 overall
Max Klare, Ohio State: 91 overall
Oscar Delp, Georgia: 90 overall
Jack Endries, Texas: 90 overall

EA Sports College Football 26 top offensive lineman

Kadyn Proctor, Alabama: 94 overall
Spencer Fano, Utah: 94 overall
Francis Mauigoa, Miami: 93 overall
Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M: 93 overall
Jordan Seaton, Colorado: 92 overall

EA Sports College Football 26 top defensive players

Caleb Downs, Ohio State, safety: 96 overall
Anthony Hill Jr., Texas, linebacker: 95 overall
T.J. Parker, Clemson, edge: 95 overall
Dylan Stewart, South Carolina, edge: 94 overall
Jermod McCoy, Tennessee, cornerback: 94 overall
Peter Woods, Clemson, defensive tackle: 94 overall
Colin Simmons, Texas, edge: 93 overall
Leonard Moore, Notre Dame, cornerback: 93 overall
Keldric Faulk, Auburn, edge: 93 overall
Dillon Thieneman, Oregon, safety: 93 overall

EA Sports College Football 26 top edge rushers

T.J. Parker, Clemson: 95 overall
Dylan Stewart, South Carolina: 94 overall
Colin Simmons, Texas: 93 overall
Keldric Faulk, Auburn: 93 overall
David Bailey, Texas Tech: 93 overall

EA Sports College Football 26 top defensive tackles

Peter Woods, Clemson: 94 overall
Christen Miller, Georgia: 92 overall
Tim Keenan III, Alabama: 92 overall
Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati: 92 overall
Rayshaun Benny, Michigan: 91 overall

EA Sports College Football 26 top linebackers

Anthony Hill Jr., Texas: 95 overall
Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh: 93 overall
Suntarine Perkins, Mississippi: 93 overall
Gabe Jacas, Illinois: 92 overall
Austin Romaine, Kansas State: 92 overall

EA Sports College Football 26 top cornerbacks

Jermod McCoy, Tennessee: 94 overall
Leonard Moore, Notre Dame: 93 overall
Chandler Rivers, Duke: 93 overall
Avieon Terrell, Clemson: 92 overall
Malik Muhammad, Texas: 92 overall

EA Sports College Football 26 top safeties

Caleb Downs, Ohio State: 96 overall
Dillon Thieneman, Oregon: 93 overall
Rod Moore, Michigan: 92 overall
Bud Clark, TCU: 92 overall
Terry Moore, Duke: 92 overall

The Cleveland Browns are one step closer to moving to the suburbs. They had already bought the plot of land, and on Monday night, they got the public funding.

Ohio governor Mike DeWine signed a new budget into law on Monday that allocates $600 million in unclaimed funds to partially fund the Browns’ new stadium project in the southeastern Cleveland suburb, according to 92.3 The Fan. The budget decision came three days after the Haslam Sports Group officially purchased a 176-acre plot of land for $76 million, according to Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office via Sportico.

The Browns originally revealed the plans to move to Brook Park in August 2024, at the time calling it ‘a modern, dynamic, world-class venue that would greatly enhance the fan experience and enable the State of Ohio and our region to compete for some of the biggest events in the world 365 days a year.’

The Browns estimate the project to build a new, domed stadium will cost $2.4 billion in total. They’ve now received $600 million from the state of Ohio for the stadium, and the team expects to use an additional $400 million from Brook Park’s income taxes for the new Huntington Bank Stadium.

Haslam Sports Group has also committed $2 billion to mixed-use area development surrounding the stadium.

Though they’ve officially received the public funding, the Browns still have a bit to go before they can begin building the stadium. According to the Columbus Dispatch, former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann and former state Rep. Jeff Crossman announced they would immediately file a lawsuit if the state budget included funding the Browns’ stadium project with unclaimed funds.

That said, Gov. DeWine already helped the Browns clear another potential road bump by adjusting language in the Modell Law.

The law is nicknamed after infamous former Browns owner Art Modell, who moved the team to Baltimore in 1996. Its actual title is Ohio Revised Code 9.67, which requires any Ohio-based team to give their city six months’ notice to allow ‘political subdivision or any individual or group of individuals who reside in the area the opportunity to purchase the team.’

DeWine passed an amendment that changes language in the Modell Law to only apply to teams attempting to leave the state.

With the Ohio governor backing their project and providing a sizable portion of the state’s budget, the Browns are pushing ahead. Team principal owner Jimmy Haslam says he hopes to break ground in Brook Park by early next year.

‘We respect the firm commitment and leadership that Governor DeWine, and the Ohio Senate and House have shown in their collaborative work to find a responsible way to support such a transformative project, one that will create a generational impact for our region and the State,’ the Haslams said in a statement.

‘Our fans deserve a world-class facility, and we are committed to building a state-of-the-art enclosed stadium that resonates with Cleveland, highlighting our loyal and passionate fans and the Dawg Pound, while also incorporating innovation, bold design, and an immersive experience. The new enclosed Huntington Bank Field will be completely fan-centric, a first-of-its-kind design in the NFL, and a dynamic venue that draws visitors from across Ohio and beyond, for concerts and significant sporting events throughout the year.

‘This premiere facility will anchor a major lifestyle and entertainment development and be a catalyst for one of Northeast Ohio’s largest economic development projects ever and something our community will be proud of and can enjoy for years to come. We appreciate the support of State leaders and their belief in this transformative project.’

Bobby Bonilla Day is an annual opportunity to poke fun at the New York Mets, but the club’s infamous deal that pays Bonilla $1.19 million every year until he’s 72, is sort of the reason the team ended up with one of its all-time greats.

Bonilla played just 60 games for the Mets in 1999 and rather than paying him the $5.9 million he was owed for 2000, the club agreed to make yearly payments of $1.19 million for 25 years – with 8% interest – starting in July 2011.

Coming off a trip to the NLCS in 1999, New York had World Series hopes heading into 2000 – and $5.9 million was a big salary back then, with most of the league’s payrolls in the $50 million range. Saving that money in 2000 by dumping Bonilla, the Mets were able to upgrade in the offseason, trading for pitcher Mike Hampton, coming off a 22-4 season with the Houston Astros – with a $5.75 million salary.

The lefty won 15 games with a 3.14 ERA in 2000 and was named NLCS MVP as the Mets reached the World Series for the first time since 1986.

Hampton left the Mets after one season, signing a $121 million deal with the Rockies, citing the state’s school system. (‘I’ve got a son that’s working on his master’s, and my other son’s on the dean’s list … so I guess the school system worked out all right,’ Hampton joked 20 years later.)

But Hampton leaving gave the Mets a compensation pick in the 2001 draft.

With that pick – the 38th overall selection – the Mets selected third baseman David Wright.

Wright went on to become one of the best players in franchise history, trailing only Tom Seaver in WAR and is the club’s career leader in runs, hits, total bases and RBIs. Wright spent his entire career with the Mets, debuting in 2004 and making his final appearance in 2018. He was a seven-time All-Star and won two Gold Glove Awards at the hot corner, but injuries cut his career short.

The Mets will retire his number in July 2025, making him the 10th player to earn the honor and first who spent their entire career with the organization.

Wright debuted on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot in 2024, receiving 6.1% of the vote to earn another year on the ballot. In 2025, his vote share ticked up to 8.1%, but there’s almost no chance he ever reaches the 75% threshold required for election.

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It can pay handsomely to be a professional athlete, and these days the biggest contracts are going to basketball and baseball players.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard and NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander agreed to a four-year, $285 million contract extension on Tuesday, making him the highest-paid player in the league with an average salary of $71.3 million per season when the deal kicks in the 2027-28 season.

By comparison, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is making $60 million per season, Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl is making an average of $14 million as the National Hockey League’s highest paid player, and Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani makes $70 million a season, but $680 million of that total is being deferred, and scheduled to paid out starting in 2034.

Here are the biggest contracts in NBA history, in terms of value and annual salary:

Highest-paid NBA players, by total contract value

Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, five years, $313 million
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder: four years, $285 million
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics: five years, $285 million
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets: five years, $276 million
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons: five years, $269 million
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers: five years, $269 million
Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns: five years, $251 million
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves: five years, $244 million
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers: five years, $244 million
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks: five years, $228 million

Highest-paid NBA players by annual average salary

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder: $71.3 million
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers: 64.3 million
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics: $62.8 million
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks: $58.4 million
Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks: $58.4 million
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics: $57 million
Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors: $55.4 million
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets: $55.2 million
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat: $55.116 million
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks: $55.1 million
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns: $55.1 million

Richest contracts in North American sports history

Juan Soto, New York Mets: 15 years, $765 million
Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers: 10 years, $700 million
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: 10 years, $450 million
Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels: 12 years, $426.5 million 
Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers: 12 years, $365 million
Aaron Judge, New York Yankees: nine years, $360 million
Manny Machado, San Diego Padres: 11 years, $350 million
Francisco Lindor, New York Mets: 10 years, $341 million
Fernando Tatís Jr., San Diego Padres: 14 years, $340 million
Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies: 13 years, $330 million

Like most people who had their smartphones or computers in front of them as the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers swung a June 30 trade that sent cornerback Jalen Ramsey (and tight end Jonnu Smith) to the Steel City and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick back to South Beach, Jason McCourty’s reaction changed once the full details became known.

Because at first, the ESPN analyst assumed Ramsey would be fitting into a secondary that included Fitzpatrick. Then McCourty’s twin brother and former NFL teammate Devin texted him with the update that Fitzpatrick was the primary compensation returned to the Dolphins.

Which leaves the Steelers without a three-time All-Pro at free safety but an upgrade at cornerback – and some added flexibility when it comes to lining up against the high-powered offenses in the AFC North.

‘I love this addition for the Steelers, just because it adds a ton of versatility,’ Jason McCourty told USA TODAY Sports.

After Devin’s text update, Jason started to think about where Ramsey – who is receiving a $1.5 million raise and making $26.6 million total in 2025 – would line up for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Free safety is a possibility because of that patented aggressiveness and instincts, along with experience playing inside and outside cornerback.

But the Steelers are losing Fitzpatrick’s experience within the role as the center fielder of the defense and the communication that comes along with it.

‘I think those are big shoes to fill,’ McCourty said. ‘That’s why I’m so curious to see exactly where they see Ramsey to fit – because when you’re paying this much money, I don’t know if you’re going to just stick a guy like that at free safety. You typically want him covering the other team’s best wide receivers.

‘It says a lot about what (the Steelers) felt about Minkah Fitzpatrick. Because you make this trade and you give Jalen Ramsey a bit of a pay bump as well. So if (Ramsey) is playing free safety, that says a lot about it. But I am excited for the Steelers with this move.’

Steelers’ secondary has options after Jalen Ramsey trade

The Fitzpatrick-Ramsey trade was the most recent revamping of the Steelers’ secondary. The team signed cornerback Darius Slay and safety Juan Thornhill this offseason. Joey Porter Jr. is a starting outside corner, while Beanie Bishop Jr. had a nice rookie season in 2024 as the nickel corner.

Even though Slay, 34, and Ramsey, 30 ‘aren’t in the prime of their careers, both are still playing at a high level,’ said McCourty, who posted on social media about the trade and the replies immediately referenced the age of Ramsey and Slay.

‘You’re like, ‘These guys can’t play anymore’ but I think guys like Slay and Ramsey are still playing at a high level,’ he added.

Steelers-Dolphins trade: Who won and lost as Jalen Ramsey, Minkah Fitzpatrick get moved?

Multiple secondary lineups is why a guy like Ramsey can be a ‘chess piece’ for the Steelers’ coaching staff. Slay and Porter Jr. are more entrenched in their roles as sideline corners. Ramsey can be moved anywhere.

‘Now you have the opportunity to do so much with that secondary, especially when you have versatile pieces and guys who can play multiple roles,’ McCourty said.

What direction are Dolphins going?

Under general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins made it to the postseason in 2022 and 2023 but fell off late in those campaigns. The organization hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2000 season.

Now they’ve parted with Smith, who arguably had the best season of his career in 2024, and Ramsey, who leaves behind a largely unproven secondary (aside from Fitzpatrick).

Jalen Ramsey trade grades: Who won deal between Steelers, Dolphins?

‘They don’t have a lot of guys who have been proven year after year that have had success in this league,’ McCourty said. ‘You look at the trade from their standpoint, and you’re like ‘What direction are they going in as a team?”

But Fitzpatrick is back in the fold – this time without a position change forced on him by the coaching staff as Brian Flores tried to in 2019, which precipitated his trade to the Steelers two games into that season.

‘It worked out for both parties, because Minkah went to Pittsburgh and became a monster,’ McCourty said.

Now the ‘monster’ is back in Miami.

The NBA free agency period is off and running, and some of the biggest names in the game are already off the market. Teams can negotiate deals and announce trades during this moratorium period, which ends July 6, when all signings can become official.

Lakers star LeBron James, Clippers guard James Harden and Timberwovles forward Julius Randle have each reportedly agreed to return to their teams for the 2025-26 season. Kyrie Irving has re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks, while Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul are some other veteran guards who will continue to chase a championship.

This story will be updated as the best remaining free agents sign contracts:

Myles Turner reaches deal with Milwaukee Bucks, per report

The Milwaukee Bucks waived guard Damian Lillard and will take the remainder of his salary to sign free agent forward Myles Turner, reports ESPN.com.

Turner was one of the core pieces in the Pacers making it to the NBA Finals, and his departure will be a big blow for the Pacers, especially with the Achilles’ injury to Tyrese Haliburton, which can ultimately sideline him for the whole upcoming season.

Jonathan Kuminga, G, Golden State Warriors, restricted free agent

Kuminga has established himself as a reliable third scoring option in Golden State behind Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, as he averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, missing significant time this season with an ankle injury.

Josh Giddey, G, Chicago Bulls, restricted free agent

In his first season with the Bulls, Giddey averaged 14.6 points and 7.2 assists and is looking to cash in on his good season. He made $8.35 million last season and could be looking to make four times that amount if he returns to Chicago.

Malik Beasley, G, Detroit Pistons, unrestricted free agent

Beasley’s free agency is officially on hold after he was implicated in a federal gambling investigation. Before the news came out, he was looking at a potential three-year, $42 million deal.

DeAndre Ayton, C, Portland Trail Blazers, unrestricted free agent

Ayton became a free agent after agreeing to a contract buyout with the Blazers. The No. 1 pick of the 2018 draft averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds in 40 games last season.

Al Horford, C, Boston Celtics, unrestricted free agent

Horford can be a valuable asset to a team looking for a veteran presence and a three-point shooter coming off the bench. The 39-year-old still played 60 games for a Boston team that is looking for a reset after trades and the injury to Jayson Tatum.

When is NBA free agency? Dates, times and offseason schedule

NBA free agency officially began on Monday, June 30, at 6 p.m. ET. Teams and players can now start agreeing to the terms of a contract. Teams and players, however, will have to wait until July 6 for contracts to be officially signed.

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