The days of matching players with jersey numbers and familiar attributes have passed.

With the launch of EA Sports College Football 25, the company's first college football game in more than a decade, actual players on actual rosters are now being played by millions of gamers around the country.

The overwhelming majority of players, headlined by the game's biggest stars, opted into the game. With their inclusion, there are thousands of players who have been scouted and ranked.

As is the case with any sports game, the ratings matter. In fact, to many, they matter more than they should. (If this somehow describes you, have no fear. This is a judgement-free zone.)

Who are the top-10-rated players in College Football 25? We have the answers. Let's assess the rankings (found here), which everyone will agree on—and play a little game of high, low or just right.

Just Outside the Top 10: 25-11

As we move into the rankings, we must first assess the group of players just outside the top 10.

Perhaps most notably, quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Carson Beck check in at No. 17 and No. 18. Considering that both seem like popular candidates to be the No. 1 overall pick in next spring's draft, the placement is a tad surprising.

Another notable player: Ohio State running back Treveyon Henderson.

Why is it noteworthy? Well, because Henderson, who has been excellent in his three years with the Buckeyes, isn't even the highest-rated running back on his own team.

If you're looking for a team to run the ball with, look no further.

For the most part, these rankings feel about right—although Missouri wideout Luther Burden III feels like a top-10 player. He just missed, but he wouldn't have missed on our list.

25. Jaydn Ott, RB, Cal (93 Overall)

24. Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota (93 Overall)

23. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State (93 Overall)

22. Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina (93 Overall)

21. Deone Walker, DE, Kentucky (93 Overall)

20. Mykel Williams, OLB, Georgia (93 Overall)

19. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State (93 Overall)

18. Carson Beck, QB, Georgia (93 Overall)

17. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (94 Overall)

16. Jay Higgins, MLB, Iowa (94 Overall)

15. Barrett Carter, OLB, Clemson (94 Overall)

14. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona (94 Overall)

13. Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas (94 Overall)

12. Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame (94 Overall)

11. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri (94 Overall)

10. Tate Ratledge, OL, Georgia (95 Overall)

The top interior offensive lineman in the game enters the year, fittingly, with that same reputation.

Tate Ratledge isn't the highest-ranked Bulldog, although he's certainly a worthy member of his group. While the average college football fan will rarely (if ever) obsess over the sport's best guard, Ratledge's presence will allow this team to operate as it has for some time now.

The 6'6" junior has the look and makeup of an elite offensive lineman. While all eyes will be on the QB this year, his best protector will certainly contribute greatly to his team's enormous potential.

Rating Evaluation: Just right

9. Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State (95 Overall)

One of the most impactful transfers of the past offseason, Quinshon Judkins joins the Buckeyes after two spectacular seasons at Ole Miss.

Judkins has scored 34 touchdowns over the past two seasons, although his overall production dipped a smidge last year. Despite the dip, Judkins remains one of the most explosive offensive players in the sport. Joining an Ohio State team and offense full of playmakers should only help.

While Judkins is superb, one could argue this is a tad high in terms of placement. With that acknowledged, good luck slowing down the Ohio State run game.

Rating Evaluation: Slightly high

8. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan (95 Overall)

By no means did Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham's tremendous year go unnoticed, although the Wolverines' star power on offense last year undoubtedly occupied a good chunk of the spotlight.

Given the departures on that side of the football, Graham's time is now. And although he didn't overwhelm the stat sheet last season—finishing with just three sacks—his impact on games was felt throughout.

Graham is the highest-ranked interior defensive lineman, and EA Sports chose wisely here.

He's already a star, and he's likely to explode come fall.

Rating Evaluation: Just right

7. Malaki Starks, FS, Georgia (95 Overall)

The second (and final) Georgia player inside the top 10, Malaki Starks has emerged as an NFL draft darling with still a season to come.

A former 5-star recruit and one of the most coveted prospects in the class of 2020, Starks has been as advertised. In 2022, Starks finished with 52 tackles and three interceptions. Although he is not the highest-ranked safety in College Football 25, he's certainly deserving of having real estate in the top 10.

Safeties can be overlooked in this sport, but they shouldn't be. Starks won't be hard to find both in the game and on the actual field.

Rating Evaluation: Just right

6. Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado (95 Overall)

In recent memory, it's hard to find a comparison to just how much value Travis Hunter can provide on a football field.

As a freshman, he started at Jacksonville State. He made the move to Colorado once head coach Deion Sanders decided to make a change, and Hunter erupted onto the scene last year as both a cornerback and a wide receiver.

Although he missed time with an injury in 2023, the skill set is simply remarkable. In fact, it's so good and so versatile that one could argue he should be ranked even higher than he is.

Hunter has a case as being the best player in the sport, largely because he impacts the game so much. This is a fine ranking for CFB's ultimate weapon. But he deserved a bit more.

Rating Evaluation: Too low

5. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (95 Overall)

True freshmen rarely make an impact at Alabama, especially those who played under Nick Saban. That was not the case with Caleb Downs last season, who started with the Crimson Tide and immediately looked like one of the best players on the field.

The highest-ranked sophomore in College Football 25 also has a new team. When Saban retired, Downs made the decision to transfer to Ohio State, and the Buckeyes defense will be much better because of it.

Downs led Alabama in tackles (107), intercepted two passes and even returned a punt for a touchdown. It would not shock in the least to see Ohio State find ways to get him the football, in which case his seemingly ceilingless potential could soar.

Rating Evaluation: Just right

4. James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee (95 Overall)

The highest-rated defensive lineman in the game is a 243-pound quarterback-seeking lightning bolt.

Yes, Tennessee's James Pearce Jr. has the frame and athletic tools to be an elite defender at this level and the next, and those tools were on display last year. Pearce finished his sophomore season with 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss—totals he can blow right past this season if he stays healthy.

Is this rating based on hype? Perhaps a bit.

But Pearce has showcased enough production to warrant a place in the top 10. He also could have more sheer potential than any player on this list, regardless of position.

Rating Evaluation: Slightly high

3. Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State (96 Overall)

When it comes to finding a player capable of immediate offensive destruction, look no further than the best running back in college football.

That's at least how EA Sports views Ollie Gordon II, and there will be no arguments here. After running for 1,732 yards and scoring 22 touchdowns a season ago, the 211-pound junior cemented himself as one of the elite players in the sport.

Gordon ran for at least 100 yards in all but five games. He also added 330 yards receiving, which speaks to his three-down ability.

Although recent off-the-field issues have dampened some of his momentum heading into the year, there is no doubting the talent.

He's electric.

Rating Evaluation: Just right

2. Will Campbell, OT, LSU (96 Overall)

Since arriving in Baton Rouge, Will Campbell has been everything LSU could have asked for and more.

An elite recruit in the class of 2022, Campbell started at left tackle as a freshman and hasn't looked back since. Last season, he did not allow a single sack all year. In fact, it's been 15 games since that's happened.

He's been durable, reliable and dominant, and he helped guide LSU's offense to a spectacular year last season. Oh, and he's still just a junior, which means he should get better.

At 6'6" and 320 pounds, Campbell has unbelievable size and still showcases incredible quickness. In short, he's as good as it gets.

While the No. 2 overall ranking is certainly a compliment, this is the best player in college football right now.

Rating Evaluation: One spot too low

No. 1: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan (96 Overall)

From the moment he stepped on the field at Michigan, he looked like a star in the making.

The thing about being a shutdown cornerback, however, is that the good ones can often go unnoticed. That's because most quarterbacks chose to avoid them.

Granted, Will Johnson still managed to intercept four passes last season, becoming one of the best players on the best team in the nation. He's likely to intercept more in the next few months.

An elite player with elite size, the 6'2", 202-pound Johnson is certainly worthy of being the top defensive player in the game. But is he the best player overall?

According to EA Sports he is. While we might disagree ever so slightly, this is by no means a bad call. Johnson is special.

Rating Evaluation: Slightly high