Who are the top-rated Illini?

The phrase ‘It’s in the game’ was in the intro to basically every EA Sports game from 1993-2016. Now, it’s more like they’re in the game. As in actual college football players in EA Sports College Football 25. Here’s a look at the top-rated Illini, courtesy Illini beat writer Scott Richey :

J.C. Davis

6-5, 320, OL

The New Mexico transfer is one of three Illini with an overall rating of 84. Davis checks in with a high awareness of 92 — essentially football IQ — in addition to top marks in strength, pass-block power and run-block finesse at 88s. What you’re looking for in a left tackle to keep your quarterback upright.

Tyler Strain

5-9, 195, DB

Strain likely projects as Illinois’ nickelback this fall with Xavier Scott bouncing outside to cornerback for defensive coordinator Aaron Henry. As the second of three Illini rated as an 84, the game is high on the Pace, Fla., native’s athleticism with a team-best 94 speed to go with 94 acceleration and 92 change of direction.

Terrance Brooks

6-0, 205, DB

Illinois pulled Brooks out of the transfer portal to fill an immediate need in the secondary. The Texas transfer is also an 84 overall with some of the same athleticism advantages as Strain with a 93 change of direction, 92s in both speed and jumping and solid marks in man and zone coverage.

Seth Coleman

6-5, 250, OLB

Coleman will have to wait for a roster update to get his number changed from 49 to 9. Until then, the longtime Illini starter and Melbourne, Fla., native checks in as an 82 overall with attributes that line up with his reputation as a speed rusher with an 88 acceleration and 92 pursuit to go with an 87 for tackling.

Josh Kreutz

6-2, 290, OL

Illinois’ starting center, who is rated as an 82 overall, has one of the higher awareness numbers on the team with an 89. Fitting for the offensive lineman who makes sure the other four on the field are in the right spots. Kreutz also pairs an 83 strength with run-block finesse and lead-block ratings of 87.

Luke Altmyer

6-2, 205, QB

Altmyer heads into his second season as Illinois’ starting quarterback with an 81 rating. The Starkville, Miss., native boasts an 88 throw power with solid accuracy numbers. Altmyer has a 92 short-accuracy rating, an 86 for mid-distance accuracy and an 84 on deep-ball accuracy with an 80 for throwing under pressure.

Pat Bryant

6-3, 200, WR

Perhaps it’s fitting that Altmyer’s top target is also an 81. Bryant’s highest individual skill rating is a 90 for spectacular catch, which has some merit given his seven touchdowns last season ranked fourth in the Big Ten. The Jacksonville, Fla., native also has 88s for speed and acceleration and an 86 catch rating.

Xavier Scott

5-11, 190, DB

A productive season at nickelback in 2023 where Scott led the Big Ten with 11 pass breakups in the regular season comes with a 79 rating heading into the 2024 season. Likely a spot as a starting cornerback, too, where his shiftiness — 91 agility, 92 acceleration and 91 change of direction — could come into play.

Kaden Feagin

6-3, 250, RB

By the end of the 2024 season, an initial rating of 79 might be laughable for the Illinois sophomore. But the game has the former Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond star pegged with speed and strength ratings of 85 that also come with an 89 acceleration, 90 trucking and 88 stiff arm.

Miles Scott

5-11, 210, DB

The fact Scott started his Illinois career as a wide receiver comes into play in his ratings. Checking in as a 79 overall, the former walk-on has a catch rating of 76, which is 11th on the team and tied for Brooks for first among defensive backs. Scott also has the best zone coverage.

Dennis Briggs Jr.

6-4, 275, DL

Briggs boasting an 86 awareness was only sensible given he’s in his seventh season of college football. That’s the better part of a decade to build up football IQ. The Florida State transfer is also a 79 overall thanks to an 86 tackling, 78 tackle power and 83 for power moves in the trenches.

Note: Mississippi/UTSA transfer wide receiver Zakhari Franklin is not yet on the Illinois roster in the game. Odds are, the most productive returning receiver in the FBS would be one of the Illini’s highest-rated players.