EA Sports continues to roll out ratings for its annual college football video game. On Friday, we got ratings for every single player in this year's game, which releases next month. Let's break down how every player on the Gophers will be rated at the time of release.The Gophers' highest-rated players on EA Sports College Football 27 when the game officially releases next month.Any surprises? pic.twitter.com/0H9lwGlmGk— Tony Liebert (@TonyLiebert) June 26, 2026QuarterbacksDrake Lindsey: 81Max Shikenjanski: 68Michael Merdinger: 68Lindsey might be a few points too low, but he has only one year of production. Gophers fans are going to feel like he's disrespected, but he needs to prove himself for one more season before getting respect from the national media.Dec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey (5) against the New Mexico Lobos during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesRunning backsDarius Taylor: 87A.J. Turner: 79Grant Washington: 79Xavier Ford: 78Many players are not in the game, and that's clear at the running back position. Taylor is a respectable 87 overall, but Turner probably won't start the season as RB2. Washington and Ford got surprisingly solid ratings as second-year players. Elon transfer TJ Thomas Jr. is one of the Gophers' top players not in the game.Oct 17, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Darius Taylor (1) celebrates his touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images | Matt Krohn-Imagn ImagesWide receiversJavon Tracy: 86Jalen Smith: 79Zion Steptoe: 77Perry Thompson: 76Donielle 'Nuke' Hayes: 72Noah Jenninngs: 70The wide receiver ratings appear to be a little off. Tracy received a respectable 86 overall, but Smith is probably much closer than seven points away from him on the depth chart. Jennings has the best chance of earning the No. 3 role, and he's sixth on EA's depth chart.Minnesota wide receiver Javon Tracy, left, outruns Oregon defensive back Ify Obidegwu on his way to a touchdown as the Oregon Ducks host the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Nov. 14, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesTight endsKaden Helms: 74Julian Johnson: 69Pierce Walsh: 69Jacob Simpson: 66Dec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers tight end Pierce Walsh (19) against the New Mexico Lobos during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesThere shouldn't be many complaints at tight end. The Gophers have a lot of questions, but Helms is the most proven option, and much of their returning talent appears to be on similar skill levels.Left tacklesNathan Roy: 78Aaron Thomas: 70Dec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers offensive lineman Nathan Roy (50) against the New Mexico Lobos during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesYou could argue that Roy deserves a higher rating after an impressive redshirt freshman season, but he will have to prove himself again in 2026 before he breaks the 80 mark.Left guardGreg Johnson: 92CentersAshton Beers: 86Brett Carroll: 74Right guardsJaden Ball: 73Tony Nelson: 72Nelson finished last season as the starter for Minnesota at right guard, while Ball only played in two games. It's odd to see Ball rated higher, but you could also say it's just nitpicking that that point.Dec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers offensive lineman Tony Nelson (59) against the New Mexico Lobos during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesRight tacklesBennett Warren: 72Lucas Tielsch: 68Defensive endsAnthony Smith: 92TJ Bush Jr.: 87Jaxon Howard: 78Adam Kissayi: 72Karter Menz: 72Jay'Quan Stubbs: 70The top-end talent of Minnesota's edge group is shown by Smith and Bush's rating, but Menz's rating might be the worst on the entire roster. He had 6.5 sacks in the Big Ten last season, and he's a 72 overall. There are a few misses by EA, but that might be the worst.Dec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Gophers defensive lineman Anthony Smith celebrates with the trophy after defeating the New Mexico Lobos in overtime of the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesDefensive tacklesRiley Sunram: 74Naquan Crowder: 72Xion Chapman: 68Sid Kaba: 67The question marks Minnesota has alongside the interior is emphasized by their ratings. Their incoming transfer trio didn't get much respect, but they're all coming from a lower level in the Sun Belt and Conference USA. LinebackersMaverick Baranowski: 88Matt Kingsbury: 73Emmanuel Karmo: 71Joey Gerlach: 71Andrew Marshall: 70Mason Carrier: 68Ethan Stendel: 68Nathan Cleveland: 64CornerbacksJohn Nestor: 87Rhyland Kelly: 74Aydan West: 73Naiim Parrish: 72Mike Gerald: 71The order of Minnesota's cornerbacks is also a little bit off. Nestor received plenty of respect, but West did not, as he transferred in from Michigan State. Kelly, Parrish and Gerald will all compete for a role at outside cornerback this fall. SafetiesKerry Brown: 87Aidan Gousby: 81Garrison Monroe: 71Mekhai Smith: 71Zack Harden: 71Special teamsTom Weston (P): 77Alan Soukup (LS): 64Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow