With EA Sports College Football 26 set to release in July, fans across the country are buzzing about the game's potential—and more importantly, its cover athletes. While the official cover star is still under wraps, there's nothing stopping us from speculating on the best representative for each program in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
College Football 26: Best Cover Athlete Picks for Every ACC Team
Whether you're chasing a dream season in Dynasty Mode or stacking your Ultimate Team with your favorite stars using College Football 26 Coins, these cover picks represent the pride of their schools heading into the 2025 season.
Boston College Eagles – KP Price, Safety
After a standout sophomore season, KP Price is the easy choice for BC's cover athlete. With 85 tackles, two interceptions, and a sack, Price emerged as the heart of the Eagles' defense. He's the kind of playmaker that College Football 26 players love to build their secondary around.
California Golden Bears – Jaivian Thomas, RB
With key offensive pieces departing Cal, Jaivian Thomas is set to carry the load. He rushed for 626 yards and 7 touchdowns in a timeshare role last year. With full control of the backfield now, he's poised for a breakout season—and deserves the cover nod.
Clemson Tigers – Cade Klubnik, QB
Cade Klubnik is one of the most talked-about quarterbacks entering 2025. He threw for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns last season, earning early Heisman buzz. If there's a superstar face of the ACC, Klubnik is it—and a must-have target if you're spending your College Football 26 Coins wisely.
Duke Blue Devils – Dairan Mensah, QB
Dairan Mensah transferred from Tulane after an impressive freshman campaign. With 2,723 passing yards and 22 touchdowns, his dual-threat ability brings excitement to Duke's offense. He's a dynamic player and would make an intriguing ACC cover option.
Florida State Seminoles – Squirrel White, WR
A huge pickup from Tennessee, Squirrel White brings explosiveness to FSU's offense. He already has 1,665 career receiving yards and is expected to be the Seminoles' top weapon in 2025. Don't be surprised if he's one of the most used cards in Ultimate Team formats.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets – Haynes King, QB
Haynes King had a productive year with over 2,000 passing yards and 25 total touchdowns. Entering his final collegiate season, he's primed for a big year and is easily the face of Georgia Tech football.
Louisville Cardinals – Isaac Brown, RB
Isaac Brown rushed for over 1,100 yards and averaged a stunning 7.1 yards per carry in 2024. He's one of the most exciting running backs in the ACC and would be a favorite among players looking to maximize value with their College Football 26 Coins.
Miami Hurricanes – Carson Beck, QB
A transfer from Georgia, Carson Beck has name recognition and talent. With a strong supporting cast and a quarterback-friendly scheme, he could have a major bounce-back season. His presence alone would sell copies—and packs.
NC State Wolfpack – CJ Bailey, QB
Thrown into action after an injury to Grayson McCall, CJ Bailey stepped up with 2,400+ yards and 23 total touchdowns. The young QB is a rising star and could lead NC State to a surprise run in the ACC.
North Carolina Tar Heels – Gio Lopez, QB
Transferring in from South Alabama, Gio Lopez brings dual-threat ability to UNC's offense. With over 3,000 total yards and 25 touchdowns last year, he fits right into Belichick's new system in Chapel Hill. He's a dark horse Heisman contender—and a possible Ultimate Team gem.
Pittsburgh Panthers – Eli Holstein, QB
Injuries limited Eli Holstein's true freshman year, but when healthy, he flashed serious potential. Set to be Pitt's offensive leader in 2025, he's a natural pick for the Panthers' face on the cover.
SMU Mustangs – Kevin Jennings, QB
Kevin Jennings surprised everyone when he led SMU to a College Football Playoff appearance. He took over mid-season and never looked back. Now, the clear starter, Jennings is a prime example of an underdog rising to the top.
Stanford Cardinal – Elijah Brown, QB
Highly touted as a four-star recruit, Elijah Brown saw limited action last year. But with experience under his belt, he's expected to make a major leap and become Stanford's centerpiece for the 2025 season.
Syracuse Orange – Duce Chestnut, Safety
Duce Chestnut remains the backbone of the Orange defense. After a season with five pass breakups, one interception, and over 60 tackles, he'll lead a talented Syracuse secondary and deserves his cover spot.
Virginia Cavaliers – Emmanuel Karnley, CB
A transfer with serious upside, Emmanuel Karnley played well at Arizona and could thrive in Virginia's secondary. If you're investing College Football 26 Coins in defensive playmakers, Karnley could be an underrated star.
Virginia Tech Hokies – Kyron Drones, QB
Though Kyron Drones regressed statistically in 2024, he remains one of the most talented QBs in the ACC. With renewed focus and a better supporting cast, he's poised for a bounce-back season in 2025.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons – Demond Claiborne, RB
Demond Claiborne rushed for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He's the most consistent piece in the Demon Deacons' offense and will be heavily featured both on the field and in College Football 26 Ultimate Team lineups.
Final Thoughts
As EA Sports College Football 26 prepares to launch, fans can speculate, debate, and build their dream teams with these stars leading the charge. Whether you're playing Dynasty Mode or stacking your Ultimate Team, these athletes are more than worthy of a cover, and your College Football 26 Coins.
Which player would you love to see on your team's cover?
MMOPTK College Football 26 Team
