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The NCAA video game series has been a mainstay in many households since 1998 and for some even before that during the days of “Bill Walsh College Football.” It was downright devastating when EA Sport stopped producing the game after “NCAA ’14.”

The game – or any version of it – is scheduled to return in time for the 2023 season and I just can’t wait. I was wondering who were the top ten Ohio State football players in video game history. It is important to remember that no names were used for the grids, but we can make some safe assumptions that QB No. 2 would have been Terrelle Pryor. It’s one of the reasons EA Sports had to stop making the game.

Another point to note is that it’s extremely difficult to find rosters before the 2004 version, but I feel like I’ve exhausted my options and found the best results. I also want to note that the first “Bill Walsh College Football” game didn’t even have Ohio State and instead had a strange copycat team called Columbus. There were no individual player ratings and therefore that game was not used. Oh, and don’t forget that NCAA games were labeled a year in advance, so the 2005 version of the game is basically for the 2004 season. Got it? No, maybe – sort of?

Anyway, let’s continue with the top ten Ohio State football players in the history of the video game franchise “NCAA Football.”

What stood out

Brandon Joe was the highest-rated player on the Ohio State roster in “NCAA Football 2005” with 96 total and he was actually the only Buckeye on the roster to even reach the 90s territory. Strange as it may be, Brandon Joe was a fullback for the state of Ohio from 2000-2004 and was the prototypical fullback for the state of Ohio.

Nov 22, 2008; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Marcus Freeman (1) in action against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Credit: Matthew Emmons-US TODay Sports

What stood out

Before becoming head coach at Notre Dame, Marcus Freeman was a two-time All-Big Ten linebacker, and in “NCAA Football 2009” Freeman got a nice 96 overall rating. To put into perspective how great that Ohio State team was in the video game, Freeman was ranked third on the team along with two others.

Sept. 6, 2008; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The Ohio State Buckeyes offensive tackle of Alex Boone (75) blocks against Ohio Bobcats defensive end Kris luchsinger (54) at Ohio Stadium. Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

What stood out

One of Freeman’s teammates on that legendary virtual roster was offensive lineman Alex Boone. He also received an overall rating of 96 in ‘NCAA Football 2009’. Boone was named All-Big Ten twice during his career in Columbus, Ohio.

January 5, 2008; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) during the 2009 Fiesta Bowl warm-ups against the Texas Longhorns at University of Phoenix Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee/Image from Sports USA TODAY Sports

What stood out

Malcolm Jenkins is one of the best defensive defenders in Ohio state history and his 96 overall rating was frankly too low. Jenkins is actually one of the few Buckeyes to have crossed the 90 threshold twice, having been a 96 overall in “NCAA Football 2009” and a 94 overall in “NCAA Football 2008.” Jenkins was named All-Big Ten three times, All-American twice, and won the Thorpe Award in 2008. I hear that’s pretty good.

Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) throws a pass during the 1st quarter of the NCAA football game against Marshall at Ohio Stadium on September 2, 2010. Credit: USA TODAY Sports Network

What stood out

Terrelle Pryor is one of the greatest virtual quarterbacks of all time. He crossed the overall threshold of 90 a whopping three times with an overall rating of 90 in “NCAA Football 2010”, a 94 overall in “NCAA Football 2011” and an even better 96 overall in “NCAA Football 2012.”.” Pryor was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2008 and was the Rose Bowl MVP in 2010.

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller (5) breaks 3rd Quarter loss to Michigan Wolverines defensive end Ryan Van Bergen (53) during their NCAA college football game at Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan November 26, 2011. (Sending photo by Kyle Robertson)

What stood out

Braxton Miller probably would have crossed 90 several times, but unfortunately he was in the latest version of the game. Miller received an overall rating of 96 in ‘NCAA Football 2014’ and for good reason. He was the 2011 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, twice named Big Ten MVP, twice Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, twice Big Ten Quarterback of the Year and twice All-Big Ten Artist. .

January 2, 2006; Tempe, AZ USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker (47) AJ Hawk talks to Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback (10) Brady Quinn after the Fiesta Bowl. Ohio State won 34-20. Mandatory Mention: Photo by Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2006 Matt Cashore

What stood out

It’s hard to believe, but AJ Hawk was actually underrated at just 97 overall. Hawk finished his career as a National Champion, two-time Fiesta Bowl MVP, two-time All-American, Lombardi Trophy Award winner, Jack Lambert Trophy Award winner and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

January 5, 2009; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Chris Wells aka Beanie Wells (28) dodges a tackle attempt by Texas Longhorns defensive end Bryan Orakpo (98) in the first half of the 2009 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Texas defeated the state of Ohio 24-21. Credit: Kirby Lee/Image from Sports USA TODAY Sports

What stood out

Beanie Wells is another stud on that “NCAA Football 2009” team. His overall rating of 97 was well deserved, as he was named All-Big Ten and All-American during his Ohio State career and then had a solid career in the NFL, primarily with the Green Bay Packers.

TEMPE, ARIZONA – January 2: Kick returner Chris Gamble #7 of Ohio State Buckeyes catches a pass during game against the Kansas State Wildcats at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on January 2, 2004 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Gamble announced after the game that he will not return to OSU for his senior season and will not participate in the NFL drawing. The Buckeyes defeated the Wildcats 35-28. (Photo by Elsa /Getty Images)

What stood out

Chris Gamble is without a doubt one of the greatest players in Ohio State history and I’m glad he was able to gain some respect with an overall rating of 99. I always thought he was underrated and underused on offense. The National Champion and All-Big Ten Representative played both sides of the ball for the Buckeyes—both extremely well and never seemed to tire.

Nov 22, 2008; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker James Laurinaitis (33) in action against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

What stood out

Another Buckeye great, James Laurinaitis was rated over 90 twice during his career, with an overall rating of 95 in “NCAA Football 2008” and an overall rating of 99 in “NCAA Football 2009.”.” These high ratings are well deserved, as Laurinaitis is a Nagurski Trophy winner, three-time All-American, three-time All-Big Ten Representative, Butkus Award winner, two-time Lambert Award winner and two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, to name just a few. not to mention the Lott Trophy winner. That’s a lot of hardware.

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