EA SPORTS has released the player ratings for College Football 26, and Tennessee Volunteers fans have been anticipating the reveal. The Vols land at 84 overall as a team, placing them among the top half of FBS schools (si.com, rockytopinsider.com). But the real excitement comes from the individual player ratings — standout numbers that highlight rising stars and explosive newcomers on the roster.
Leading the pack for Tennessee is cornerback Jermod McCoy, earning a 94 overall rating. He tops not just Tennessee’s defense but ranks among the elite nationally (on3.com). McCoy’s key attributes are elite — 91 speed, 97 agility, 95 change-of-direction, along with 88 awareness and 84 injury. The in‑game stats reflect the real‑life performance: a first‑team All‑SEC selection in 2024, he posted 44 tackles, nine pass breakups, and four interceptions in only one season at Tennessee after transferring from Oregon State (rockytopinsider.com). That stellar speed‑agility combo makes McCoy a shadow in coverage, able to lock down top receivers with fluid transitions — a nightmare for opposing offenses. In gameplay terms, he’s a lockdown corner unafraid to chase elite speed with coordination to match.
Following McCoy is tight end Miles Kitselman, rated 90 overall (on3.com). Kitselman’s move from Alabama has paid off — he led Tennessee’s tight end room in 2024, catching 22 passes for 301 yards and four touchdowns (on3.com). He combines size, athleticism, and reliability, with enough route-running savvy to rack up catches in the middle. His rating cements him as a top TE in the game and a go-to red-zone threat. A TE rated 90 in College Football means solid blocking skills too — he’ll be valuable in both run support and intermediate passing schemes.
Next up, defensive lineman Joshua Josephs earns an 89 overall (on3.com). Josephs made a big leap in 2024 with 39 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks (on3.com). In‑game, a high‑80s rating on the d-line signifies strong gap control, decent power, and disruption ability against both the run and pass. He’s the kind of interior force that demands double-teams and opens up opportunities for teammates like James Pearce around him.
A deeper look via 247Sports reveals more Tennessee standouts with strong in-game ratings: wide receivers Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley both earn 93 speed ratings (247sports.com). Those speed numbers indicate explosive playmaking at wideout. Matthews, a Georgia five-star freshman recruit, contributed early in 2024 with seven catches, 90 yards, and two TDs as a true freshman . His 93 speed in-game reflects that explosive potential — expect long catch-and-go plays that can flip field position. Staley, following suit, adds flame to the roster’s deep threats and gives defenses serious separation concerns downfield.
Tennessee’s secondary depth also includes young star Boo Carter, the freshman defensive back rated near the top of his position group (en.wikipedia.org). His real‑life play in 2024 — earning SEC Freshman of the Week honors with seven tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack, and a pick — suggests upside . Though his exact in‑game rating isn’t published yet, fans on Reddit are buzzing — one noted:
“I suspect Boo will be higher by the end of the season.” (reddit.com)
That sentiment mirrors EA’s decision to rate him among top Vol defenders on launch day — a promising sign of his in-game impact. Expect Carter to have high awareness and pursuit ratings.
Another major mention: quarterback Nico Iamaleava, rated among the Top‑20 QBs in the game (247sports.com, atozsports.com). While his exact numerical OVR isn’t stated, “Top-20 QB” suggests a rating in the upper 80s, potentially low 90s. His 2024 performance — over 2,600 yards, 19 TDs, five INTs — plus MVP effort in the Citrus Bowl confirms his readiness. That accuracy and composure will translate into decently high attributes, especially in short-to-intermediate accuracy. He may not rival national elites in deep-throw precision, but his duality under center earns respect in-game.
Let’s summarize the top Vols and how they’ll perform in CFB26:
Jermod McCoy, CB – 94 OVR
- 91 SPD, 97 AGI, 95 COD, 88 AWR, 84 INJ, 67 STR (rockytopinsider.com, ea.com)
- Elite coverage ability with top-tier agility and speed. A two-way threat with solid awareness, making him one of the game’s premier cornerbacks.
Miles Kitselman, TE – 90 OVR
- Explosive hybrid weapon at tight end with reliable hands and blocking; built for multi-role use in TE-based schemes, including red-zone effectiveness .
Joshua Josephs, DL – 89 OVR
- Interior engine for the defensive front; strong presence in run defense and pressure generation, anchoring the line with solid overall traits .
Mike Matthews, WR – ~93 SPD
- One of the fastest Vols; his freshman impact and blazing speed translate into elite deep-play capability .
Braylon Staley, WR – ~93 SPD
- Matches Matthews’ speed with similar explosive ability; young but already on EA’s radar for speed demons .
Nico Iamaleava, QB – Top-20 QB
- Upper-echelon QB rating; strong 2024 season and high preseason profile warrant an OVR likely in the range of 89–92 .
Boo Carter, DB – high draft prospect / young defender
- Exact OVR TBD, but lineup depth and buzz around his presence suggest strong in-game secondary ability .
EA’s overall team rating of 84 (Tennessee) indicates that while the Vols aren’t in the top 10 nationally, they’re solid playoff contenders (on3.com). In fact, they rank around 20th overall — strong for a team that reached the CFP last year. Their defense earns an 88, placing them among the top 15 defenses in CFB26 . Offensively, they trail the nation’s best, but not by much — a solid mid‑80s offense indicates balance with room to grow.
Breaking down positional groups further:
- Defense: With McCoy (94), Carter (high), Josephs (89), and other contributors, generating pressure and limiting explosive plays is expected. 88 defensive OVR rating places Tennessee inside that elite grouping (on3.com).
- Offense: QB Nico paired with fast WRs Matthews and Staley, plus productive TE Kitselman, offers a threaten‑the‑field group. The offense is likely rated mid‑80s — strong, but not overpowering.
- Special Teams & Depth: Likely midrange, rounding the team to 84 overall.
Playing as Tennessee in CFB26, fans can key into:
- Defense-first tactics: Utilize McCoy in corner blitzes; expect him to lock receivers or jump routes. Carter provides secondary depth for deep coverage.
- Offensive plays leveraging speed: Utilize fly routes to Matthews and Staley; use Kitselman in seam and cross patterns. QB Iamaleava can hit intermediate targets accurately.
- Line play: While Josephs anchors the defensive line inside, the offensive line — including prospects like fifth‑year center Cooper Mays (All‑SEC) — will influence run packages. While not rated yet, expect respectable OL play based on real-life success (statesman.com, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org).
Online reaction reflects excitement and optimism:
- Fans are buzzing about McCoy’s elite CB rating — positioning Tennessee’s secondary as a national strength.
- Reddit discussions voice high expectations for Boo Carter, with fans believing his OVR could climb with performance (southernliving.com, reddit.com).
- Multiple outlets celebrate the Matthews/Staley speed combo — “elite speed at WR” was a common descriptor .
The ratings reflect real-life narratives: Tennessee’s 2024 defense was fierce, highlighted by McCoy and Carter; the offense turned heads with explosive playmakers and solid QB play. EA’s ratings preserve those strengths while leaving room for growth — especially in deeper position groups.
EA Sports College Football 26’s release of Tennessee player ratings gives Vols fans a reason for optimism:
- A 94‑rated lockdown corner (McCoy) anchors a stout secondary.
- A budding 90‑rated TE (Kitselman) adds versatility.
- A top‑20 QB (Iamaleava) with dual threat ability.
- Speed demons at WR (Matthews, Staley) reshape passing planning.
- A defensive line disruptor (Josephs) strengthens front‑seven play.
- Emerging young talent like Carter signals future depth.
Tennessee’s 84 overall ranking and 88 defense rating place them as a formidable team in-game. Fans can expect a gameplay experience that mirrors real‑world strengths: a tough defense, a speed‑based offense, and exciting under‑the‑radar depth that can surprise opponents. Whether controlling McCoy in coverage, dialing up deep shots with Matthews/Staley, or lining up with Kitselman in heavy packages, there’s a lot to like.
As the season unfolds and EA pushes updates — dynamic rosters, weekly changes — keep an eye on players like Carter and Iamaleava, whose ratings may climb with strong performances. For now, College Football 26 captures Tennessee’s 2024 magic: a hungry team with elite pieces and a chip on their shoulder to improve.
Kudos to McCoy (94 CB), Kitselman (90 TE), Josephs (89 DL) as top in-game Vols.
- Iamaleava begins the game in the top 20 QBs, Matthews and Staley with blazing 93 speed.
- Tennessee ranked 84 overall, 88 defense — solid balance in College Football 26.
Every time you take control of the Vols this July, expect McCoy to shadow elite WRs, Iamaleava to thread tight windows, and Matthews/Staley to burn past defenders. And if Boo Carter’s VFX lines live up to promise – watch for him to become a fan favorite. Let the countdown to launch begin — Go Vols!
