The creators of the EA Sports College Football 27 video game are high on Notre Dame heading into the 2026 campaign.
The Fighting Irish are tied with Texas as fourth-highest rated team in the game with an overall rating of 89. They only trail Oregon (91), Ohio State (90) and defending national champion Indiana (90).
The highest ranked opponent on Notre Dame’s 2026 schedule is Miami at 88. BYU is at an 86, while SMU is at 83. They are the only Irish foes to crack the top 25 overall teams in the game heading into the campaign.
Here is a look at where some of the top-rated Notre Dame players ended up.
Notre Dame football top player ratings in EA Sports College Football 27 video game
Cornerback Leonard Moore isn’t just the best defensive back in the game, but his 97 overall rating tied him for second best amongst all players, alongside Indiana left tackle Carter Smith. The top player is Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who earned a coveted 99 rating.
Rounding out the top six Notre Dame-ranked players is quarterback CJ Carr (92 overall), linebacker Drayk Bowen (91), left guard Anthonie Knapp (90), free safety Brauntae “Tae” Johnson (90) and linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (90).
Defense is clearly seen as the strength of the Irish, with eight of the top 11 players on the team coming from that side of the ball. Joining those already mentioned are cornerback DJ McKinney (89), strong safety Adon Shuler (88), defensive end Boubacar Traore (88) and cornerback Christian Gray (88).
Jordan Faison is the top wide receiver at an 88. Aneyas Williams leads the running backs room with an 86, and Ian Palmer is rated as the best tight end on the team with an 81.
The video game is available worldwide to the public on July 9. Fans can purchase a special deluxe edition of the game to earn seven-days early access.
Austin Hough is a sports editor within the Center for Community Journalism at USA Today Co., overseeing high school sports and Notre Dame athletics coverage for five Indiana newspapers. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @AustinRHough. Hough can be emailed at ahough@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Where Notre Dame football ranks in College Football 27 video game
Reporting by Austin Hough, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Austin Hough, South Bend Tribune | USA TODAY Network
