In the days leading up to the release of EA Sports College Football 25, the company unveiled the initial 100 highest-rated players in the game.

And several of them should be even better than listed.

Before we venture into those opinions, one asterisk: There will be updates to the rankings. If a certain player is thriving in the fall, we'll probably see that reflected through the game later on. As such, the following choices are simply a reflection of my view—not a criticism.

The players highlighted are subjective but based on past performance and projected contributions during the 2024 season.

Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa

Rating: 90

In his first year as a starter, Xavier Nwankpa was a steady defender on the back end of Iowa's stingy unit. He notched 40 tackles (2.0 for loss) and snagged one interception.

This season, stardom may be on the horizon.

Nwankpa, one of the highest-rated recruits in Iowa history, played about half of the 2023 season with a broken right thumb. The safety covered well, but Nwankpa's production dropped. He managed six tackles in the Hawkeyes' last six games of the campaign.

If he plays up to this expectation, Nwankpa will absolutely be a challenger for All-American recognition.

Wyatt Milum, LT, West Virginia

Rating: 90

It's safe to say Wyatt Milum is a priority NFL prospect right now.

Last season, per Pro Football Focus, the West Virginia left tackle yielded nine pressures and zero sacks in 337 pass-blocking snaps.

Checking in at 6'6" and 317 pounds, Milum has a prototypical build for an NFL tackle. He'll also offer plenty of experience, considering he enters the 2024 campaign with 32 career starts at WVU.

B/R's NFL Scouting Department listed him at No. 16 in its earliest mock draft for the 2025 cycle.

Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

Rating: 90

Clemson had three defensive linemen picked in the 2024 draft, and Peter Woods will follow suit in the near future.

Not until 2026 at the earliest, though. Have fun with that, ACC teams!

Woods impressed as a true freshman, making 26 tackles (2.5 for loss) in his rotational role. The talented lineman's snap share is poised to soar in 2024 as Clemson plans to use Woods at defensive end and shift him inside to tackle for passing situations.

At minimum, Woods should be a top contender for All-Conference honors in his sophomore year.

Jabbar Muhammad, CB, Oregon

Rating: 91

The lone transfer on the list, cornerback Jabbar Muhammad left Washington for Oregon this offseason.

Expectations would've been high if he'd stayed at UW. Still, Muhammad could be even stingier in 2024, considering the vast talent returning to Oregon's defense.

According to Pro Football Focus, Muhammad ceded a 60.6 passer rating and allowed two touchdowns last year. He tallied three interceptions and 12 pass breakups in 598 coverage snaps as the Dawgs reached the national championship.

Muhammad passed up the 2024 NFL draft but should be among the upper tier of the position in the 2025 cycle.

Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State

Rating: 91

Tory Horton isn't necessarily an under-the-radar player, but he's certainly deserving of more national recognition.

Horton finished fifth in the country with 96 receptions in 2023, closing the season at 1,136 yards and eight touchdowns. That followed a 2022 campaign with 71 catches for 1,131 yards and eight scores.

Given that production, it's unsurprising he reportedly received six-figure NIL offers to transfer out of Colorado State.

However, he decided to stay for a final season at CSU and forms a dangerous QB/WR duo with Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi.

Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU

Rating: 92

As a true freshman in 2022, Harold Perkins Jr. captured a sliver of the nation's attention with 14 tackles for loss (8.5 sacks) among his 73 stops and four forced fumbles. He earned second-team All-SEC honors.

Perkins began his sophomore season with massive expectations, but LSU's defense took a step back. Though he garnered second-team All-SEC again, Perkins' shift from edge-rusher to inside linebacker didn't work as hoped. LSU quickly deserted that plan.

This season, however, his aggressiveness should be better utilized in the middle under new coordinator Blake Baker.

Perkins has All-American upside for the Tigers in 2024.