College football fans have reason to celebrate as EA College Football 26 hits early access for those who pre-ordered. The return of this iconic series brings massive upgrades across all major game modes, including Ultimate Team, Dynasty Mode, and especially Road to Glory.
College Football 26: How to Become a Five-Star Recruit in Road to Glory
This guide focuses on one of the most exciting parts of Road to Glory, becoming a five-star recruit during your high school journey. If you want to take your custom player from hometown hero to the top of the recruiting boards, here's everything you need to know.
Player Creation
Your first decision in Road to Glory is choosing your recruitment path. There are four starting profiles:
Elite (Five-Star Athlete)
Blue Chip (Four-Star Athlete)
Contributor (Three-Star Athlete)
Underdog (Two-Star Athlete)
Elite and Blue Chip paths fast-track you to major programs and early playing time. Going the Contributor or Underdog route offers a more challenging path, often requiring time on the bench or commitment to a smaller school, perfect for those who love an underdog story.
Next, pick your position. There are five options in College Football 26:
Quarterback
Halfback
Wide Receiver
MIKE Linebacker
Cornerback
Each position comes with specific archetypes. For example, at quarterback, you can choose from:
Pocket Passer: Focused on throw power and accuracy
Dual Threat: Balanced between arm strength and mobility
Backfield Creator: Enhanced agility and improvisation skills
Pure Runner: Speed and elusiveness above all else
Each archetype brings unique Physical Abilities, such as:
Off Platform: Improved accuracy while throwing off-balance
Pull Down: Better ball security in the pocket
Mobile Deadeye: Enhanced accuracy while on the move
After selecting your archetype, you'll fully customize your player's:
Personal Info (name, hometown, jersey number, etc.)
Physical Appearance and Gear
Play Style Animations (stance, carry style, etc.)
Once that's complete, it's time to hit the field and start building your legacy.
Climbing the Rankings in High School
Your Road to Glory journey begins in high school. Each week, your player's national, state, and positional rankings update based on performance. A progress bar tracks your current status, from one-star to five-star recruit, helping you see where you stand in the eyes of college scouts.
You'll start with an interview by local reporter Alice Zimmer. The way you answer her questions, such as what's most important in choosing a college, can influence which schools show interest in you.
Your high school coach then walks you through selecting a Top 10 schools list. These aren't locked in and can change as you gain (or lose) attention from major programs. You can also commit or decommit at any time, with the final decision coming after your last high school game.
Key stats help determine which schools to consider:
Assessed Tape Score: Points needed to earn a scholarship offer
Projected Role: Starter, backup, or bench
Coach Prestige: Ranked F to A+
NIL Potential: Indicates how strong your earning opportunities are
Team Style: Run/pass focus and aggressiveness level
Monitoring team performance matters, too. A powerhouse program might be stacked with talent, making it harder to start. On the flip side, struggling teams may offer immediate playing time.
Making an Impact in High School Games
Gameplay in high school matches is focused on Moments. Before each game, select four key moments to play. Each has two goals, such as gaining 10+ yards on an option or avoiding a fumble, and is worth a set number of Tape Score points. Performance in these moments determines your recruiting value.
Some moments include School Tape Score Boosts, which vary by program. For instance, if you pick "Option Merchant" as a QB, a school like Oregon may offer a 3.0x score multiplier, while USC might only offer 1.3x. Completing moments perfectly is critical to maintaining your five-star status.
Failure to complete moments, or skipping retries, can drop your ranking and eliminate certain schools from contention. Stay sharp, and always aim for 100%.
Off-Field Decisions Matter
Between games, you'll face choices that affect your journey. Will you study with a classmate for an exam? Attend the homecoming dance? These decisions influence either specific game outcomes or how colleges perceive your character and leadership.
Each week, more scholarship offers roll in. Early in the season, smaller programs make their pitch. As your Tape Score climbs, the big names start calling.
Certain schools will send their head coaches to deliver personal messages, some promising a starting job, others hinting at a redshirt year. These conversations can shape your college decision.
The Big Decision
At season's end, you'll narrow your choices to three schools. In true college football fashion, your player will sit behind a table with three hats in front of them, each representing a potential future. You'll have the option to psych out the crowd with a fake pick before locking in your final choice.
This marks the start of your collegiate journey, but it's only the beginning.
Final Thoughts
Road to Glory also integrates with other features of College Football 26, including Ultimate Team, where players can earn and use College Football 26 Coins to unlock boosts, gear, and other perks. These coins can help enhance your player's Road to Glory performance or give you an edge in competitive modes.
With the official esports season coming soon, now is the perfect time to get familiar with Road to Glory's systems, moments, and recruiting mechanics. Whether you're grinding for stars or trying to win the Heisman, every moment counts.
With College Football 26, Road to Glory is more immersive than ever. From strategic school selection to crucial in-game moments, the path to five-star status is full of decisions, and opportunities. Make the right choices, rack up those CFB 26 Coins, and take your player all the way to greatness.
mmoptk College Football 26 Team
