For local college football players, the only thing more exciting than participating in EA Sports College Football 25 is finding out how well-received they are.
The simulation video game, which has a deluxe edition released Monday and goes on sale to consumers Thursday, has been on hiatus since 2014 due to a lawsuit between publishers, the NCAA and college athletes over compensation for image rights. The move to allow athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness rights paved the way for the game to return. EA Sports College Football 25 features 11,390 real-life players from 134 Football Bowl Subdivision teams, some of whom grew up in the Metrowest and Milford areas.
Each player is rated on a scale of 0 to 100 for attributes such as speed, strength, throwing and coverage. These scores are added together to calculate an overall rating that describes the player's ability. Michigan State cornerback Will Johnson and Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II have the highest ratings in the game at 96. The lowest rated players in the game are in the mid-40s.
Here are the performances for players from the Metro West and Milford regions:
Josh Atwood, UMass Center – 79
The senior from Natick is in his fifth season of college football. He has started at center for the Minutemen the past two seasons (24 consecutive games), switching positions from nose guard. Atwood was named to the Phil Steele All-Independent Second Team, the College Football Network All-Independent Second Team and the New England Football Writers Association All-New England Team. He has a strength rating of 94.
Greg Crippen, Michigan Center – 79
The senior won a national championship last year and will be the Wolverines' starting center in 2024. He's a pocket shield and can wear down opposing defensive lines. Crippen has an 85 pass block rating and an 88 strength rating. The IMG Academy product out of Northboro has played in 15 games in the maize and blue and is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
“It's kind of crazy.”Northboro's Greg Crippen celebrates Michigan's win.
Matt Ragan, Boston College tight end – 76
A Westboro native who played his high school football at Lawrence Academy, Ragan excels at blocking, gets into position quickly and can get to the second level with an 87 acceleration and 85 jump. Ragan joined the Eagles as a three-star prospect and the No. 1 tight end in Massachusetts before redshirting his freshman year. He played in one game last season and is currently third in the depth chart. His older brother, Sean, played at BC from 2016-19 and his father, John, was with the Eagles from 1988-1990.
Sullivan Wideman, West Virginia Guard – 75
Wideman, a Franklin native, is a redshirt sophomore left guard who played his high school career at Dexter Southfield. He is power-oriented with a strength rating of 89. His impact blocking stat is 85. Wideman appeared in eight games last year and saw action 31 times against Duquesne.
Dominique Schofield, UMass Linebacker – 68
The Minutemen's backup left outside linebacker, a Milford native, will be impactful in kick and punt coverage. He has an acceleration rating of 86 and a jump rating of 82. Schofield recorded 14 tackles and a quarterback hurry in 11 appearances in 2023.
Nicholas Rinaldi, Vanderbilt Linebacker – 67
The junior from Dover-Sherborn is ranked third in the Commodores' right outside linebacker depth. Pass coverage linebackers typically play on special teams coverage units. His greatest asset is his acceleration rating of 84. Rinaldi played in all 12 games for Vanderbilt last season, recording 21 tackles, including one for a loss. He recorded a career-high six tackles against Florida and had an interception against UNLV.
Innate Connection:Brothers Nick and Luke Rinaldi have developed a special bond with Dover-Sherborn on the basketball court over the past two seasons.
