The NCAA video game series has been a pillar in many households since 1998 and for some even before that if you count the days of Bill Walsh College Football. It was downright devastating when EA Sports stopped producing the game after NCAA ’14.
The game — or a version thereof — is scheduled to return in time for the 2023 season, and I simply can’t wait. It got me wondering who the 10 highest-rated Ohio State football players were in the video game’s history. It is important to remember that no names were used for the rosters, but we can make some safe assumptions that QB No. 2 would have been Terrelle Pryor. It’s part of the reason EA Sports had to stop making the game.
Another item of note is it is extremely hard to find any rosters before the 2004 version, but I feel I exhausted my options and found the best results. I also want to note that the first Bill Walsh College Football game didn’t even have Ohio State. Instead it had an odd copycat team named Columbus. There were no individual player ratings and therefore that game was not used. Oh, and don’t forget, NCAA games were labeled a year in advance so the 2005 version of the game is actually for the 2004 season. Got it? No, maybe — sort of?
Let’s move forward anyway with the top 10 rated Ohio State football players in the history of the NCAA Football video game franchise.
No. 5 (tie) - Brandon Joe, 96 overall (NCAA Football 2005)
38 days until @OhioStateFB
Favorite player to wear #38: FB Brandon Joe (2000-2004) pic.twitter.com/sQUMQWzvNt
— 𝔼𝕣𝕚𝕔 ℂ𝕠𝕠𝕜𝕖 (@EricWCooke) July 28, 2022
What Stood Out
Brandon Joe was the highest-rated player on the Ohio State roster in NCAA Football 2005 at 96 overall, and he was actually the only Buckeye on the roster to even hit the 90s territory. Odd as it may be, Joe was a fullback for Ohio State from 2000-2004 and was the prototypical Ohio State fullback.
No. 5 (tie) - Marcus Freeman, 96 overall (NCAA Football 2009)
What Stood Out
Before Marcus Freeman became the head coach at Notre Dame, he was a two-time All-Big Ten linebacker. In NCAA Football 2009, Freeman was given a nice rating of 96 overall. To put into perspective how amazing that Ohio State team was in the video game, Freeman was tied for the third highest rating on the team with two others.
No. 5 (tie) - Alex Boone, 96 overall (NCAA Football 2009)
What Stood Out
One of Freeman’s teammates on that legendary virtual roster was offensive lineman Alex Boone. He was also provided the rating of 96 overall in NCAA Football 2009. Boone was named All-Big Ten twice during his career in Columbus, Ohio.
No. 5 (tie) - Malcolm Jenkins, 96 overall (NCAA Football 2009)
What Stood Out
Malcolm Jenkins is one of the best defensive backs in Ohio State history, and his 96 overall rating was honestly too low. Jenkins is actually one of the few Buckeyes to crack the 90 overall threshold twice. He was a 96 overall in NCAA Football 2009 and a 94 overall in NCAA Football 2008. Jenkins was named All-Big Ten three times, All-American twice and won the Thorpe Award in 2008. I hear that’s pretty good.
Malcolm Jenkins was the the best, he was probably the first Ohio State player I wanted to be like on a football field.
Here’s to an incredible career from the former Buckeye and 2 time Super Bowl champ. pic.twitter.com/ZiwQlYcnn2
— Buck Off (@buckoffpod) March 30, 2022
No. 5 (tie) - Terrelle Pryor, 96 overall (NCAA Football 2012)
What Stood Out
Terrelle Pryor is one of the best virtual quarterbacks of all time. He crossed the 90 overall threshold a whopping three times with a 90 overall rating in NCAA Football 2010, a 94 overall in NCAA Football 2011, and an even better 96 overall in NCAA Football 2012. Pryor was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2008 and was the Rose Bowl MVP in 2010.
Missing from OSU's QB history highlight package… I need to write a column on how it's time to stop ignoring Terrelle Pryor's existence. pic.twitter.com/unU8kYyXvc
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) February 21, 2017
No. 5 (tie) - Braxton Miller, 96 overall (NCAA Football 2014)
What Stood Out
Braxton Miller would have likely surpassed 90 overall multiple times, but unfortunately, he was in the last version of the game. Miller was given a 96 overall rating in NCAA Football 2014, and for good reason. He was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2011, was twice named Big Ten MVP, twice named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, named the Big Ten Quarterback of the Year twice, and a two-time All-Big Ten performer.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BRAXTON MILLER pic.twitter.com/b3eOAO6DEq
— Arrogant Urban Meyer (@ArrogantUrban) September 7, 2020
No. 3 (tie) - A.J. Hawk, 97 overall (NCAA Football 2006)
What Stood Out
It’s hard to believe, but A.J. Hawk was actually underrated at 97 overall. Hawk finished his career as a national champion, a two-time Fiesta Bowl MVP, a two-time All-American, a Lombardi Trophy Award winner, a Jack Lambert Trophy Award Winner and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
No. 3 (tie) - Beanie Wells, 97 overall, (NCAA Football 2009)
What Stood Out
Beanie Wells is another star on that NCAA Football 2009 team. His 97 overall rating was well deserved. He was named All-Big Ten and All-American during his career at Ohio State and went on to have a solid career in the NFL, mostly with the Green Bay Packers.
Chris “Beanie” Wells #28
2006-20083,382 Rushing Yards
5.8 avg
30 TDs1st Round Draft Pick pic.twitter.com/s4JZeDLq6y
— Mr. Ohio (@MrOH1O) May 23, 2019
No. 1 (tie) - Chris Gamble, 99 overall (NCAA Football 2004)
What Stood Out
Chris Gamble is no doubt one of the greatest players in Ohio State history, and I am glad he received respect with a 99 overall rating. I always thought he was underrated and underutilized on offense. The national champion and All-Big Ten representative played both sides of the ball for the Buckeyes — both especially well and seemed to never get tired.
CHRIS GAMBLE TO THE HOUSE#TBT pic.twitter.com/Wjy24Hu0Jo
— Arrogant Urban Meyer (@ArrogantUrban) November 21, 2019
No. 1 (tie) - James Laurinaitis, 99 overall (NCAA Football 2009)
What Stood Out
James Laurinaitis is another Buckeye great who was rated over 90 twice during his career: a 95 overall rating in NCAA Football 2008, and a 99 overall rating in NCAA Football 2009. These high ratings are well deserved considering Laurinaitis is a Nagurski Trophy winner, three-time All-American, three-time All-Big Ten representative, Butkus Award winner, two-time Lambert Award winner, and two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, not to mention Lott Trophy winner. That’s a lot of hardware.
33 days until kickoff!
Happy James Laurinaitis (@JLaurinaitis55) day to No. 33! Let’s rewind to when he forced a crucial fumble against Texas!#GoBucks #TakeASeat pic.twitter.com/PgWcVEOTzO
— Armchair Ohio State (@ArmchairOhioSt) July 30, 2018
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