The University of Michigan has a new face on the cover of one of the top video games, with incoming freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood featured on EA Sports College Football 26 Deluxe Edition. This marks the second consecutive season that a Michigan football player will be on the cover of one of these high-profile games. Last year, Donovan Edwards was the cover athlete.
Underwood’s appearance on the game is part of its celebration for the “sophomore year” of its return. The generic cover features Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams. In contrast, the deluxe edition cover showcases a montage of college football players, coaches, and mascots, with Underwood alongside former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson.
The duo’s inclusion on the cover is notable given Robinson’s recent troubles. He was recently featured on the deluxe edition, but it appears to be from his non-football career as a staffer in Ann Arbor. The image doesn’t match his playing days, and he hasn’t been employed by U-M for over a year due to an arrest.
Despite this, fans are eager to see Underwood perform like Robinson did on the field. The Belleville product is highly touted, with a five-star ranking as the No. 1 overall incoming freshman per 247sports composite rankings. He was recently named one of ESPN’s top freshmen to watch nationwide.
Underwood’s appearance on the game makes him the fifth Michigan player to be featured on the cover, joining Edwards, Charles Woodson, Desmond Howard, and Robinson in the past. The game will be released on July 10, 2025, for Sony PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Xbox Series X and S.
Source: https://eu.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2025/05/27/michigan-football-bryce-underwood-ea-sports-college-football-26-video-game/83884178007