We are officially seven days away from the release of EA Sports College Football 26! The newest version of the worldwide phenomenon is set to drop on July 10, featuring multiple new additions to the game.
One of the newest game additions is paying schools when players use their program. Programs will be paid based on a tiered system, and all programs that opt into the system will be paid.
The game will also feature new ways to play Ultimate Team, new player items, and a new study hall format, among many other changes.
Ahead of the release, EA Sports has been continually releasing player and team rankings. While the Hawkeyes are not ranked in the top 25, they have multiple players ranked at 90-plus in the game.
Highest Rated Hawks in @EASPORTSCollege 🎮#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/w9Mnl6TeUd
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) July 2, 2025
Iowa has four players that hold a 90-plus ranking, led by a trio of talented lineman.
Aaron Graves, defensive tackle (91 overall)
Aaron Graves was a staple for the Iowa defensive line last season. The Dayton, Iowa, native was a key piece in the center of the defensive line, tallying 33 tackles (17 solo, 16 assisted), including eight tackles for loss and one sack.
After a solid season for the Hawkeyes, Graves was named an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection.
There were rumors that Graves would leave Iowa to enter the 2025 NFL Draft, but he decided to return for his senior season.
Before the season begins, Graves has been named to the Lott Award watchlist.
Gennings Dunker, offensive tackle (91 overall)
The Iowa offensive line paved the way for a dominating rushing attack in the 2024 season. The unit was named semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, given to the best offensive line unit in the nation.
A "large" part of the success of the offensive line is six-foot-five, 316-pound tackle Gennings Dunker. Last season, Dunker started 11 games at right tackle, and helped guide the Iowa offense to 197.2 rushing yards per game.
The 197.2 rushing yards ranked No. 3 in the Big Ten and No. 34 nationally.
Ahead of the 2025-2026 season, Dunker was named the best returning tackle in the Big Ten by PFF College.
Logan Jones, center (90 overall)
 Logan Jones was another member of the Iowa offensive line who was named as a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award last season.
After a stellar season for the Hawkeyes, it was rumored that Jones would enter the 2025 NFL Draft. He decided to return to Iowa City for his fifth and final season.
Jones had an interesting path to becoming one of the best offensive linemen in the country. When he arrived on campus, he was a defensive lineman. After injuries derailed the early part of his career, he was shifted to the offensive line.
Last season, he started 12 games, notching his 38th career start for the Hawkeyes and is one of the best and most experienced returning offensive lineman in the Big Ten.
Xavier Nwankpa, safety (90 overall)
Pleasant Hill, Iowa, native and former Southeast Polk High School standout Xavier Nwankpa is the final Hawkeye that holds a 90-plus ranking in the new EA Sports College Football 26.
Last season, Nwankpa played in all 13 games (10 starts), mainly at the strong safety position. He tallied 41 tackles (29 solo, 12 assisted) and had one pass breakup.
Nwankpa has been a solid contributor for the Hawkeyes, but has not broken out as much as he was projected to after entering Iowa as a highly ranked recruit.
The Hawkeyes hope to change that by shifting him back to his normal position of free safety.