Here's what gamers think of Memphis football in 'EA Sports College Football 25'

"EA Sports College Football 25" has taken the gaming world by storm, with video game website giant IGN reporting that more than 2.2 million enthusiasts paid $100 each for access to the game three days before the official July 19 release date.

Memphis football has been discussed in the gamer community as one of the more intriguing dynasty options and arguably the most dynamic non-power conference option in the game.

The Commercial Appeal decided to pull the curtain back a bit and allow readers to get an in-depth look at how we've used the virtual Tigers, how you can use them and how we both can lead Memphis football to (virtual) national championship glory.

At the end of the CA’s first season, Memphis’ recruiting class ranked 17th in the country, with seven four-star recruits, nestled right behind Arizona in the national class rankings.

In-game recruiting doesn’t factor into the impact of the recent FedEx partnership , but in-game factors such as “championship contender” and “school prestige," which Memphis graded out as C-plus or higher as a starting point for both, do reflect the elevated relevancy of Tigers football in recent years.

Unfortunately, fans will not be able to see or use incoming freshman Antwann Hill Jr. as a quarterback on the roster, unless you recreate Hill’s background and journey on EA’s “Road to Glory” mode.

Seth Henigan and Roc Taylor form a lethal combo, but the real game-changer is Koby Drake. The senior wideout from Arkansas has the highest speed rating among starters in the Memphis wideout room (91 speed, 92 agility, and 93 acceleration), and with speed arguably being the most important trait in the game, he’s a highly effective option.

Former Memphis high school stars like Whitehaven's Javante Mackey (middle linebacker) and CorMontae Hamilton (defensive end), along with White Station alum Greg Rubin, all come in with at least a 79 overall rating.

The best way to utilize the Tigers' offense is through a spread offense and playbook. Shotgun formations create a light box of defenders for Mario Anderson and a good offensive line, powered by 86 overall right guard Xavier Hill, and three starting offensive linemen with at least 80 overalls.

While the passing game can be lethal, and Henigan can make any throw, don’t expect him to run around and break tackles like Alabama’s Jalen Milroe or Kansas’ Jalon Daniels.

Get Drake going on in-breaking routes (slants, drags, short crosses) and allow him to run away from defenders playing man coverage. Save your deeper routes (corner routes and go-balls) for Taylor. Make sure you’re getting the ball out quickly with Henigan and utilize check-downs with your backs, as well as RPOs with Drake and Taylor, to maximize chunk play potential and minimize Henigan’s potential for sacks.

On defense, Elijah Herring (83 overall) and Chandler Martin (85 overall) form one of the best pass-rushing duos in the game. Running man coverage, or Cover 1 and Cover 2 defenses, and allowing them to rush as defensive ends out of a 3-4 defense maximize their impact.

In the secondary, senior Davion Ross has the highest rating at 83 overall, with Indiana transfer Kobe Minor coming in surprisingly low at fourth on the depth chart with a 78. With six defensive backs, including both starting safeties, coming in at 78 overall or better, man-to-man coverages have fared better to me, with computer-controlled quarterbacks easily able to dissect zone-heavy schemes. (I play on All-American difficulty, I wouldn’t recommend anything higher if you plan to enjoy the game.)

The game also allows for custom conferences, enabling gamers to place Memphis in the ACC or SEC to test their power conference mettle and see how they would fare. There's also a customized team-building option, where fans of local FCS programs, such as Tennessee State, Austin Peay and UT-Martin, can live out their big-time college football.

If you click this link here , you can watch the entirety of a Memphis vs. 16th-ranked Tennessee simulation done by YouTuber NickDALORIAN. And if you click here , you can see YouTuber TRIGGA take the Tigers through his multiyear dynasty mode.

Reach sports writer Josh Crawford at joshua.crawford@commercialappeal.com or on X @JCrawford5656

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Here's what gamers think of Memphis football in 'EA Sports College Football 25'