Indiana football’s highest rated players in EA Sports College Football 25
BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football fans can pick up a controller this weekend and get a preview of the team’s new look roster with the release of EA Sports College Football 25. The game was released worldwide on Friday for the Playstation 5 and Xbox X/S. It’s the first collegiate football game since EA Sports released NCAA Football 14 in 2013.
This year’s version features the inclusion of real-life players for the first time. In March, the developers announced that more than 10,000 players had signed name, image and likeness deals to be featured in the game. Players that opt in will receive a minimum of $600 and a copy of the game.
Indiana’s roster in the game features 80 current members from the team. Running back Khobie Martin, defensive tackles Tyrique Tucker and J’Mari Monette and linebacker Quentin Clark are the only expected scholarship players missing. The Hoosiers have an 82 overall rating (80 offense and 78 defense) to start the year. Here are IU’s 10 highest-rated players as the rosters stand on the day of the game’s release:
- D’Angelo Ponds is Indiana football’s highest rated player in EA Sports College Football 25 with an overall rating of 87, excelling in traits like acceleration, stamina, man coverage, and zone coverage.
- Elijah Sarratt is the team’s highest rated offensive player with an overall rating of 86, showcasing top-notch skills in catching, short route running, and middle route running.
Indiana football’s highest rated players in EA Sports College Football 2025
1. D’Angelo Ponds; 87 Overall Rating: One of the final transfers Indiana signed during the spring window is the team’s highest rated player going into the 2024 season. He has the highest rating in a number of individual traits including acceleration (98), stamina (96), man coverage (82) and zone coverage (87). He’s also tied with Jamari Sharpe as the team’s fastest player (96 speed). Ponds had a breakout season as a true freshman for JMU last season. He finished No. 11 in the FBS in passes defended and only allowed 30 completions for 259 yards on 65 targets. Ponds’ impressive stats and high ratings in key areas like speed, acceleration, and coverage make him a valuable asset to the Hoosiers’ defense. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses and defend against both man and zone coverage will be crucial to their success this season.
2. Elijah Sarratt; 86 Overall Rating: Indiana’s highest rated player on offense is also a James Madison transfer. He’s got the highest ratings in catch (90), short route run (90) and middle route run (91) on the team. Sarratt led JMU with 82 catches and 1,191 receiving yards last season. He had four receptions for 34 yards in IU’s spring game with three of those coming on the last drive. Sarratt’s impressive receiving skills and high ratings in catching and route running abilities make him a dangerous threat on the field. His ability to make catches in tight coverage and run effective routes will be key for Indiana’s offense. With his experience and talent, Sarratt is poised to be a major contributor for the Hoosiers this year.
- Abilities: Press Pro; Cutter
3. Donaven McCulley; 85 Overall Rating: McCulley has the highest rating of the holdovers from last year. He’s got 89 speed, 87 agility, 92 acceleration, 87 catching and 93 spectacular catch rating. The former quarterback also has an 87 rating in throwing power making him a prime candidate to run some trick plays. The Lawrence North grad was one of the few success stories from last year’s team. He led IU in all major receiving categories with 48 receptions, 644 yards and six touchdowns. McCulley’s versatility and impressive athleticism make him a standout player for Indiana. His speed, agility, and ability to catch the ball make him a threat both as a receiver and a potential trick play option. He’s proven himself as a reliable target and a key contributor to the Hoosiers’ offense.
- Abilities: Balanced, Press Pro, Sure Hands, 50/50
4. Kurtis Rourke; 84 Overall Rating: Indiana’s expected starting quarterback has the fourth highest overall rating. He’s got 80 speed, 83 acceleration, 90 awareness, 94 throwing power, 90 short throw accuracy, 85 middle throw accuracy, 84 deep throw accuracy and 90 throw under pressure. Rourke was a three-year starter at Ohio where he won MAC offensive player of the year honors in 2022. Rourke’s experience and high ratings in throwing power, accuracy, and awareness make him a formidable quarterback. His ability to lead the offense and make accurate throws under pressure will be key for Indiana’s success. Rourke’s proven track record and high ratings suggest he has the potential to be a standout player for the Hoosiers.
- Abilities: Pull Down, Resistance
5. CJ West, Overall Rating 82: West, another transfer who signed during the spring window, is one of two defenders with an 80-plus overall grade. He has 94 strength, 89 awareness, 76 tackling, 85 hit power, 87 power moves, 88 block shedding and 88 play recognition. The Kent State transfer gives IU a huge presence in the middle of the defense at 6-foot-2 and 315-pounds and plenty of experience. He’s a three-year starter with 110 career tackles with 19.5 for a loss and 7.0 sacks. West’s size, strength, and experience make him a dominant force on the defensive line. His high ratings in strength, awareness, and tackling make him a force to be reckoned with. His ability to disrupt offensive plays and make tackles in the backfield will be crucial to Indiana’s defensive success.
- Abilities: Grip Breaker
6. Justice Ellison; Overall Rating 81: Ellison, a Wake Forest transfer, is IU’s highest-rated running back with 87 speed, 87 agility, 81 break tackle, 87 change of direction and 85 ball carrier vision and 92 carrying. Ellison has the most experience in the Hoosiers’ running back room. He’s played in 43 career games and has put up 500-plus yards in each of the past three seasons. Ellison’s speed, agility, and experience make him a valuable asset to Indiana’s backfield. His high ratings in speed, agility, and ball carrying vision suggest he has the ability to break tackles and make big plays. Ellison’s experience and proven track record make him a crucial player for the Hoosiers’ offense.
7. Carter Smith; Overall Rating 81: Indiana’s returning left tackle is one of three offensive lineman on the team with an 80 or better overall rating. He’s the only lineman with an 80 or better rating in both pass block (80) and run block (team-high 85). Smith, a 6-foot-5, 308-pounder, took his name out of the portal to return to Indiana. According to Pro Football Focus, he graded out as IU’s highest-rated offensive lineman in 2023 and the fifth-highest freshman offensive lineman in the Power Five. Smith’s size, strength, and experience make him a crucial player for Indiana’s offensive line. His high ratings in pass blocking and run blocking suggest he can protect the quarterback and open holes for the running backs. Smith’s return to Indiana is a big boost for their offensive line and a key factor in their success.
8. Mike Katic; Overall Rating 80: Katic is expected to start at center this season for the Hoosiers. The veteran lineman has the team’s highest rated passing grade in the game (84) as well as the highest impact blocking rating (89). Katic was a team captain last season and has played in 39 games (37 starts with most of those coming at left guard). He’s headed to Indianapolis next week to be one of IU’s representatives at Big Ten Media Days. Katic’s experience, leadership, and high ratings in pass blocking and impact blocking make him a key player for Indiana’s offensive line. His ability to anchor the line and create opportunities for the offense will be crucial to their success.
9. E.J. Williams Jr.; Overall Rating 80: Williams is one of four receivers on the team with 90 or better speed (Myles Price, Omar Cooper Jr. and Andison Coby) and he’s also tied with McCulley with the team’s highest spectacular catch rating (93). After missing four games with a hand injury, Williams closed out the 2023 season with at least four catches in each of the team’s final four games. The former Clemson transfer is a former top 100 recruit out of the 2020 signing class. Williams’ speed, athleticism, and experience make him a dangerous weapon for Indiana’s offense. His high ratings in speed and spectacular catch rating suggest he has the ability to make big plays and create separation from defenders. His return from injury and strong finish to last season make him a player to watch this year.
- Abilities: Lay Out
10. Josh Sanguinetti; Overall Rating 80: Sanguinetti’s athleticism got high marks across the board and he has 70 or better ratings in all of the coverage categories. He played the most snaps of his career last season (330) and started four games. He spent time with the first-team defense at safety in the spring game. Sanguinetti’s athleticism and versatility make him a valuable player for Indiana’s defense. His high ratings in coverage categories suggest he has the ability to defend both the pass and the run. Sanguinetti’s experience and potential make him a player to watch as he competes for playing time this season.
* Mikail Kamara and Trey Wedig also have 80 overall ratings, but are ranked lower overall on the roster
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Who are IU football’s top players in EA Sports College Football 25?
