​Over the last three years, thousands of Division I football players have been able to portray themselves in a college football video game. Now, the next wave of true freshmen will join the lineup, alongside seasoned veterans. College Football 27 is set for a national release on July 9, with a lot of fresh faces in the game this year, fueling expectations for what should be a highly anticipated edition. While a few notable players were not included in the initial release, they will be added through later roster updates, and there are numerous recent 4- and 5-star recruits who are included.
Here are the top 10 true freshmen in the game at launch, ranked from highest to lowest overall rating, with a snapshot of what they accomplished in high school last fall. Lamar Brown, LSU defensive lineman, Overall 84. Brown, LSU’s first No. 1 signee since Leonard Fournette, earned First Team All-State in Class 3A as a junior. He posted 29 tackles, 9 for loss, 3 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 2025, and he was named MaxPreps First Team All-American in both 2023 and 2024. Brandon Arrington, Texas A&M defensive back, Overall 83. Arrington helped Mount Miguel to a 17-7 record over two seasons, recording 78 tackles across his sophomore, junior, and senior years. He also contributed on offense, catching 68 passes for 1,342 yards and 13 touchdowns, and he showcased elite speed, having broken Noah Lyles’ San Diego County 200-meter record in high school. Jackson Cantwell, Miami offensive tackle, Overall 83. Cantwell arrived as a five-star recruit after a junior year featuring 158 pancake blocks. He was named the Springfield News-Leader Player of the Year and the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year, and he will join Coral Gables to work under coaches Mario Cristobal and Alex Mirabal, who are renowned for developing offensive line talent. Savion Hiter, Michigan running back, Overall 83. Hiter stood out as a premier running back at Louisa County, rushing for nearly 1,445 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior. In his junior year, he ran for 1,698 yards on 156 attempts with 26 scores, adding 199 receiving yards and three kickoff return touchdowns as Louisa County finished 11-1 in his final season. Zion Elee, Maryland edge defender, Overall 83. Elee is Maryland’s all-time highest-rated recruit, surpassing Stefon Diggs. A standout at St. Frances, he earned invites to the Under Armour All-American Game and the Polynesian Bowl as a junior. As a senior, Elee recorded 72 tackles (20 for loss), 12 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles. Khary Adams, Notre Dame defensive back, Overall 82. Adams, a five-star recruit from Baltimore, stood 6-foot-3 and totaled 37 tackles, establishing himself as one of the top prospects from the area.