Who misses the NCAA Football video game?

If you’re like me, it was a right of passage every August amongst friends who were waiting for fall practice to end and the college football season to begin — a necessary space-filler and quality appetizer for the main course only weeks away.

From building dynasties as a head coach by recruiting five-star prospects to becoming the next superstar on Road to Glory, EA Sports did it right and for that, I’ll be forever grateful.

In lieu of the franchise’s two-year absence following Ed O’Bannon class-action lawsuit relating to use of likenesses, we’ve combed through fanatical forums (one 535 pages long and counting) to find the most accurate 2015 season roster update available, downloadable for free on the NCAA Football 14 main menu.

This is what SEC rosters would look like if NCAA Football had released last month. For those playing on Playstation 3, use vikesfan059’s roster for an entire, well-put together FBS update.

Editor’s note: This is the fifth story in a series of team-by-team articles revealing updated 2015 SEC player ratings in the most recent EA Sports college football video game, NCAA Football 14.

How Tennessee players would rate in NCAA Football 16

  • Cam Sutton, DB, 91 OVR (overall)
  • Curt Maggitt, DL, 90
  • Derek Barnett, DL, 89
  • Marquez North, WR, 87
  • Jalen Hurd, RB, 87
  • Jashon Robertson, OL, 86
  • Ladarrell McNeil, DB, 86
  • Brian Randolph, DB, 86
  • Joshua Dobbs, QB, 86
  • Danny O’Brien, DT, 85

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Ranked No. 24 in the game’s preseason Top 25 (with the 2015 roster update), the Vols don’t have a single player in the A (93-99) range, but nine have received an 86 or better including five on defense led by Cam Sutton. Derek Barnett’s vastly underrated at 89 overall, as is Curt Maggitt at 90. I would’ve liked to have seen both of these players in the 93-94 range.

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Glancing at Tennessee’s talent-soaked core of wide receivers, it’s no surprise that junior Marquez North leads this group at 87 OVR. Pig Howard’s speed rating of 91 exceeds others, but his overall value is somewhat low at 81, which places him behind true freshman Preston Williams, Josh Malone and four others. Play with this offense in the game in five-wide sets and you’ll have mismatches all across the field.

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Tailback Jalen Hurd needs to be ranked higher, though his agility, acceleration and speed attributes are among the SEC’s best at his position with this update. Had his elusiveness and strengths ratings been increased a bit, Hurd would’ve been rated in the low 90s where he belongs after a standout freshman season.

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