EA Sports has chosen Kewan Lacy, Malachi Toney and Dante Moore as the main athletes on the cover of College Football 27, giving the game’s standard edition a trio built around breakout college stars. The company announced the cover on Tuesday, with the title set to release July 9.
The three players are joined on the deluxe edition by Indiana coach Curt Cignetti, USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, Texas pass rusher Colin Simmons and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore. EA Sports said a full reveal is planned for Thursday at 8 PM ET, adding more detail to a cover rollout that already ties together star power, coaching success and conference relevance.
A cover built around breakout production
Lacy enters the spotlight after a dominant first season with Ole Miss in 2025, when he rushed for 1,567 yards and scored 24 touchdowns. That yardage total ranked third nationally, and his production quickly turned him into one of the most recognizable backs in the sport.
Toney also arrives after a major freshman season, finishing with an FBS-high 109 receptions while helping Miami reach the College Football Playoff championship game. Moore, meanwhile, led Oregon to a 13-2 season and chose to return for his junior year instead of entering the NFL draft as a projected first-round pick.
What the players said
Lacy called the cover appearance a lifelong dream, saying he played the game with his family growing up and that representing Ole Miss on the box feels “surreal.” His statement reflects the kind of personal connection EA Sports has tried to capture since bringing the series back.
Moore also tied his selection to that legacy, saying the cover spot is “an absolute privilege” because he grew up a fan of the game. He added that carrying Oregon’s presence forward makes him proud, especially after coach Dan Lanning and the Duck appeared on last year’s deluxe edition.
EA Sports keeps leaning on real college stars
EA Sports revived its college football franchise in 2024 after an 11-year break, and College Football 25 became the best-selling sports video game in U.S. history based on dollar sales. The series has since used its covers to spotlight players who helped define the previous season, along with key coaches and programs tied to the sport’s biggest storylines.
The approach has stayed consistent across recent editions. Travis Hunter appeared on the 2024 cover with Quinn Ewers and Donovan Edwards, while Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams fronted College Football 26 after their standout freshman campaigns.
How the deluxe edition expands the storyline
Cignetti’s place on the deluxe cover follows Indiana’s 16-0 national championship season, which made him one of the most decorated coaching figures in the sport. College Football 26 was the first entry to include real college coaches in the game, and its deluxe cover featured seven head coaches, including Marcus Freeman, Kenny Dillingham and Dan Lanning.
The new cover lineup continues that mix of players and coaches, pairing breakout talent with established leadership. For EA Sports, that balance helps frame College Football 27 as another edition built around real on-field success and the personalities driving it.
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