There is a lot of buzz about the return of the EA Sports college football video game franchise.
A big hit in the past, the franchise will return with EA Sports College Football 25 with an expected launch date of summer 2024 before the upcoming college football season.
With Bowling Green State University coming off a successful football season in 2023 and set to be featured in the highly-anticipated return of the video game, it is fair to wonder how some of the top returning Falcons might be represented in the virtual world.
We're in the ????????????????! ????@easportscollege x #CFB25 x #ToTheMoon ???????? pic.twitter.com/c12hiPMTnf
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) February 22, 2024
Here is who we think could be Bowling Green’s highest-rated players when the game releases.
Terion Stewart, RB
■ Best game attribute: Break tackle
Stewart was a second team All-MAC performer last season with 125 carries for 762 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in nine games played. He averaged 84.7 yards per game on 6.1 yards per carry. Most notably, Stewart averaged 4.81 yards per rush after contact, which ranked second in the nation among running backs with at least 100 rush attempts.
Gamers playing with Bowling Green, look no further than Stewart if in short-yardage situations. At 5-foot-9 and 225 pounds, the Sandusky High School product is difficult to bring down on all downs, but red-zone and third-or fourth-and-1 situations could be his calling card, and his break tackle skill should make him tough to stop in real life and video games.
Harold Fannin, Jr., TE
■ Best game attribute: Hands
One of Bowling Green’s best offensive weapons, Fannin, Jr., earned first-team All-MAC honors after recording 44 catches for 623 yards and six touchdowns. At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Fannin is a reliable target who is a red-zone threat and a threat in the run game. He added 14 carries for 41 yards as a rusher. He burned Toledo for two touchdown receptions in the I-75 rivalry game.
Tight ends who can catch the ball are something of a cheat code in video games, as well as for offensive coordinators. Fannin streaking over the middle should delight gamers, and his ability to catch passes thrown his way is a plus. Add a sprinkle of his rushing ability and excellent run-after-catch potential, and you could have a video-game hidden gem.
Jordan Oladokun, CB
■ Best game attribute: Coverage
Oladokun was a second team All-MAC selection at defensive back. He played in 11 games in 2023 and notched 30 tackles with four interceptions and six pass breakups. As the Falcons’ top cover corner, Oladokun was a key defensive performer and could take his game to a new level as a senior this season.
Video game defense is difficult to navigate because offense is often at a premium. But those looking for an edge in pass coverage should look no further than Oladokun. His ability to turn coverage into interceptions is golden when looking for a game-changing player on defense. What is more fun than a pick-six? Oladokun has that in his game as shown by his 53-yard interception return TD against Western Michigan.
CJ Brown, S
■ Best game attribute: Tackling
Brown is a talented safety who spent his early career as a two-time All-MAC performer and tackling machine at Northern Illinois. He is a potential transfer-portal gem for Bowling Green this season. He led NIU in tackles with 109 as a sophomore in 2021 and 76 as a junior in 2022 before he was limited to just three games last season due to injury.
Besides an interception, a big hit might be the most rewarding defensive play in virtual football land. Brown can not only be a sure-tackler for gamers but could provide the hit-stick highlights that add the wow factor. At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Brown usually finds himself near the ball, and when he does he has shown that he usually finishes the play.
Alex Wollschlaeger, OT
■ Best game attribute: Strength
Wollschlaeger is a staple of the Bowling Green offensive line as a standout right tackle. He earned third team All-MAC distinction in 2023. At 6-foot-7 and 295 pounds, Wollschlaeger is an imposing figure and has consistently shown the ability to pass block and provide an edge in the run game.
For those looking to run with Stewart early and often when playing with the Falcons, running behind Wollschlaeger to the right side might be the way to go. As previously mentioned with Stewart’s short-yardage ability, power runs to the right where Wollschlaeger can show off his strength might be a go-to play call on the money downs.
First Published February 27, 2024, 3:57 p.m.
