From 1993 to 2014, EA Sports featured some of the biggest names in college football on the covers of its games, including several University of Michigan players.
The name has changed several times, Bill Walsh College Football, College Football USAand NCAA FootballThe college football video game franchise developed by EA Sports has inspired an entire generation of young people to dream of becoming an all-star athlete.
and news The latest in the video game seriesEA Sports College Football 25— is returning this summer, so gamers are excited to live out their football dreams on their screens.
University of Michigan running back Donovan Edwards appears on the cover of EA Sports College Football 25 alongside University of Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers and University of Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter. Edwards, a three-time Big Ten Conference title winner, is one of several former Michigan college football players to appear on the cover of the popular video game series since its inception.
To find out more about these prolific Wolverines and what they're up to now, read on.
Charles Woodson
Cornerback and safety at the University of Michigan (1995-1997), fFeatured on the cover of NCAA Football 99 (PC).
Duane Burleson/AP
The heart behind NCAA Football 99 The game introduces 3D polygon-rendered fighters (a first for the series), allowing fans to experience more realistic gameplay, the game allows players to create their own fighters and comes with over 60 pre-recorded fight songs and chants.
The cover of this game featured Charles Woodson, the most decorated defensive football player to have played in the NFL.
Woodson attended the University of Michigan from 1995 to 1997, playing cornerback and safety positions for the Wolverines. In his junior season in 1997, Woodson became the third Michigan player to win the Heisman Trophy and the only defensive player in college football history to win the prestigious award. He also received multiple All-American honors and awards from the Big Ten.
After completing his three-year collegiate career with the Wolverines, Woodson was selected fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 1998 draft. He went on to play in his first Super Bowl in 2003, where the Raiders lost 48-21 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Woodson would get another chance to win a Super Bowl after being traded to the Green Bay Packers in 2010. After breaking his collarbone just before halftime of Super Bowl XLV, Woodson was on the sidelines cheering on his team as they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25, which would be his only championship.
After his Super Bowl win, Woodson played a few more seasons with Green Bay before signing a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders in 2013. Woodson finished his final season with the Raiders in 2016, ending his 18-year NFL career. The nine-time Pro Bowl selection was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
Currently, Woodson is an NFL analyst for ESPN, covering major games on the Fox Network. Off the field, Woodson is focused on his own craft alcohol brand.Woodson Bourbon Whiskey and Intercept Wines.
Desmond Howard
Wide receiver and return specialist at the University of Michigan (1988-1991), fFeatured on the cover of NCAA Football 06 (PlayStation 2 and Xbox).
Mark Lenihan/AP
in NCAA Football 06In the new game mode, “Go for the Heisman,” fans can play as talented high school athletes looking to sign with a prestigious college program. As the game progresses, fans can choose which college their player should attend and guide them on their journey to winning the coveted Heisman Trophy.
For the first time in franchise history, NCAA Football 06 It features a soundtrack of actual music, not just school cheers and band songs. soundtrack It included music from artists such as Bad Religion, The Clash and NOFX.
The game featured former University of Michigan Wolverines star and Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard on the cover. Howard is the only cover athlete who had not played in the year prior to the respective game's release, last playing for Michigan in 1991.
While at Michigan from 1988-1991, Howard became the first receiver in Big Ten history to finish as the conference's leading scorer. He set (or tied) five NCAA records and 12 school records, including 19 touchdown receptions in a single season. A two-time All-American, Howard won the Heisman Trophy in 1991.
After graduating from college, Howard was selected fourth overall by the Washington Commanders in the 1992 NFL Draft.Then it is called by a different nameHowever, his most notable professional season came in 1996, when he played for the Green Bay Packers.
Howard's 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second half of Super Bowl XXXI in 1997 not only helped the Packers to a 35-21 victory over the New England Patriots, but also led to him winning that year's Super Bowl MVP award. Howard remains the only player to win the award solely for his special teams performance.
After the Super Bowl, Howard became a free agent and signed with the Oakland Raiders for one season before returning to the Packers in 1999, but was released mid-season due to performance issues. After signing with the Detroit Lions four days later, Howard played for them for his final season in 2002, ending his 11-season NFL career. He was subsequently inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Today, Desmond Howard ESPN college football analyst. he, College Game Day Since 2005, he has commentated weekday games for ESPN and contributed to other ESPN programs and platforms.
Denard Robinson
Quarterback for the University of Michigan (2009-2012), fFeatured on the cover of NCAA Football 14 (PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360).
Jay LaPreet/AP
By Legal issues Name, image and portrait rights NCAA Football 14 was the final installment in the video game series. In December 2012, seven months before the game was released, the game developers allowed fans to vote on social media to decide which player would appear on the cover of the final game.
After multiple rounds of voting and more than six million votes, fans selected Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson as the game's cover athlete over Texas A&M wide receiver Ryan Swope.
Robinson broke numerous records and earned numerous honors on and off the football field during his time at the University of Michigan from 2009 to 2012. During his freshman and sophomore years, Robinson competed as a sprinter for the Michigan men's track and field team.
Thanks to his quickness, he He ran the 40-yard dash in just 4.35 seconds.–Robinson said he was open to playing any position in the NFL after his final season at Michigan. He was the only Wolverine from the 2012-2013 team to receive an invitation to join the NFL. NFL CombineHe was selected as a running back by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft and played for the Florida team from 2013-2016.
Robinson worked as a scouting assistant and offensive quality control for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2019-2021 before accepting the assistant director of player personnel position with the Wolverines under former coach Jim Harbaugh before returning to Michigan in 2022.
In April 2024, Michigan suspended former quarterback Robinson indefinitely. arrested Robinson was arrested for drunk driving and was involved in a single-vehicle accident in Ann Arbor. He was the second Michigan football staff member to be arrested for drunk driving that year. Defensive line coach Greg Scruggs resigned five days after his arrest in March.
Bonus: Spartan's Sparti
Michigan State University mascot,Featured on the cover of NCAA Football 09 (Nintendo Wii).
Carlos Osorio/AP
In 2008, to promote the Wii version, NCAA Football EA ran a contest where fans could vote for their favorite NCAA Division I college football team mascot. The winner of the contest was Michigan State University's Sparti. NCAA Football 09 For Nintendo Wii.
The other four versions of the game feature different athletes on the cover, including former Arkansas running back Darren McFadden (Xbox 360), former Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan (Playstation 3), former California wide receiver DeSean Jackson (PlayStation 2) and former West Virginia fullback Owen Schmidt (PlayStation Portable).
