EA Sports College Football 25: Nine High Desert athletes featured. Here are their ratings

It’s been a long time coming — more than a decade to be exact — but at last college football fans can rejoice as they can now build a program into the next great dynasty or create the next star to win the Heisman Trophy.

EA Sports College Football 25 is officially here and is buzzing among the gaming community as NCAA Football 14, released on July 9, 2013, is the last time that an officially licensed college football game was created.

The relaunch of the brand is set for Friday, but those who purchased a deluxe version of the game or have an EA Play membership can play it a few days earlier.

Nine athletes from the High Desert are currently listed on rosters for schools that compete in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision.

Apple Valley High School graduate Kenyard Edwards was on Colorado State's roster last season as a running back but said he is dealing with an injury and is sitting out this season as a redshirt. The former Victor Valley College running back is not featured in the game, along with Silverado High School graduate Lyndon Ravare.

The wide receiver is currently listed on Fresno State's roster but is not featured in the game. He joined the Bulldogs after a stellar freshman season at College of the Canyons, catching 35 passes for 652 yards and six touchdowns.

Here’s a look at the nine local athletes that are featured in EA Sports College Football 25 and their ratings. All player ratings have been provided by James H. Williams, of the Southern California News Group.

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Buddha Peleti, New Mexico State

• Rating: 76
• Grade: Junior
• Position: Linebacker
• Jersey number: 8
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 250 pounds

Peleti graduated from Oak Hills High School in 2022 after being named the Mojave River League’s Defensive Player of the Year. Peleti is coming off a big year for the Aggies as he played in 15 games and recorded 34 total tackles, including 12 solo and five resulting in negative yards. He also forced two fumbles and tallied 4.5 sacks.

Daylon Metoyer, Boise State

• Rating: 75
• Grade: Junior
• Position: Offensive line
• Jersey number: 75
• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 315 pounds

Metoyer graduated from Oak Hills High School in 2022 and quickly made a name for himself at Mt. San Antonio College, where he earned All-American and First Team All-Conference honors.

Garrett DiGiorgio, UCLA

• Rating: 75
• Grade: Junior (redshirt)
• Position: Right tackle
• Jersey number: 72
• Height: 6-6
• Weight: 310 pounds

DiGiorgio graduated from Serrano High School in 2021. He’s a two-year starter at right tackle for the Bruins. He helped UCLA’s offense rack up six games with over 200 rushing yards last season.

Gavin Hambrick, Boise State

• Rating: 71
• Grade: Sophomore (redshirt)
• Position: Linebacker
• Jersey number: 55
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 228 pounds

Hambrick graduated from Apple Valley in 2022, after helping the Sun Devils reach the CIF-SS Division 3 championship game. As a freshman last season, Hambrick played in all 14 games, mostly on special teams, and recorded a tackle against Colorado State on Oct. 14.

Jayden Denegal, Michigan

• Rating: 74
• Grade: Junior
• Position: Quarterback
• Jersey number: 4
• Height: 6-5
• Weight: 235 pounds

Like Hambrick, Denegal graduated from Apple Valley High School in 2022. His playing time has been limited at powerhouse Michigan, and he’s made the most of those opportunities. He completed four of five passes with one touchdown and also ran four times for 10 yards as a sophomore last year. He shared Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against Nebraska last season after throwing an eight-yard touchdown pass to Peyton O'Leary.

Keith Reynolds, Washington

• Rating: 65
• Grade: Freshman (redshirt)
• Position: Wide receiver
• Jersey number: 15
• Height: 5-9
• Weight: 180 pounds

Reynolds graduated from Adelanto High School in 2023, where he was a three-year standout starter. He appeared in two games for the Huskies last season against Michigan State and Cal, maintaining his freshman eligibility.

Nofoafia Tulafono, Wyoming

• Rating: 80
• Grade: Senior
• Position: Offensive line
• Jersey number: 77
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 324 pounds

Tulafono graduated from Oak Hills in 2021 and has been a three-year starter for the Cowboys. Tulafono started all 13 games last season, helping lead the way for Harrison Waylee rushing for over 100 yards four times.

Paki Finau, Washington

• Rating: 71
• Grade: Freshman
• Position: Offensive line
• Jersey number: 53
• Height: 6-5
• Weight: 297 pounds

Finau graduated from Oak Hills High School early last school year, and enrolled at Washington in time to be involved in the NCAA championship game activities and participate in spring football.

Raymond Pulido, Arizona

• Rating: 76
• Grade: Sophomore
• Position: Offensive line
• Jersey number: 79
• Height: 6-6
• Weight: 335

The towering Pulido graduated from Apple Valley in 2023 and made an immediate impact with the Wildcats last season. He played in six games, starting in five, helping the Wildcats to a 10-3 season and a 38-24 victory over Oklahoma in the Valero Alamo Bowl.