Top NCAA Football 09 cover candidates

by pastapadre
Posted December 27th, 2007 at 8:58 am

With EA already teasing the cover announcement, it is time to look over the top candidates to grace the cover of NCAA Football 09.

Historically EA has gone for the most popular and dynamic player entering the draft. The are a couple exceptions though such as when they went retro with Desmond Howard in 06 and chose Jared Zabransky for 08 based less off the success of him as an individual and more on the overall excitement around the Boise State team. The cover also generally goes to an offensive player as the only defensive player to ever get it was Charles Woodson in 1999. The breakdown for the series has been six QBs, three RBs, one WR, and one CB.

This year there are two good defensive candidates, with one in particular having the name recognition that could make a difference. There is the obvious player who everyone would expect to get the cover. There are some sleepers that could be in the running if they declare for the draft. And there are also a handful of QBs and those would have to be considered since the NCAA Football series has slanted towards them in the past.

Top Contenders

Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas: It would come as no surprise to anyone if McFadden was announced as the cover athlete. He is a natural fit. The most recognizable name in the draft even though he didn’t win the Heisman. Great potential to have a big impact in the mold of Adrian Peterson in his rookie season in the NFL. Almost seems too perfect for the cover.

Chris Long, DE, Virginia: As stated earlier defensive players don’t get much consideration when it comes to the cover. However the difference here is in the name. Chris Long is the son of former Raiders great and current Fox studio analyst Howie Long. He is expected to go at the top of the draft and could potentially even be the first pick.

QBs

Matt Ryan, Boston College: With the success of the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Boston College would it really be a surprise to see Ryan on the cover? He led BC to some great late-game comebacks and started to get his name mentioned throughout the country when they were in the national title hunt.

Dennis Dixon, Oregon: An exciting dynamic player that may have won the Heisman and led his team to a National Championship had he not gotten injured late in the season. He was riding a wave of momentum prior to that and his name is known on a national stage because of that.

Brian Brohm, Louisville: Went into the year expecting to be the top pick or at least top QB taken going into the draft but may not end up even being that. Louisville had a bad season though mostly based on their atrocious defense.

Colt Brennan, Hawaii: Last year it was Zabransky after helping underdog Boise State to an undefeated season and amazing Fiesta Bowl win that got him the cover. This year Colt Brennan is in the same situation heading into the Sugar Bowl only he has far better numbers and is a better pro prospect.

Andre Woodson, Kentucky: Another top quality QB that is expected to go early in the draft possibly in the top 10.

RBs

Jonathan Stewart, Oregon: An underclassman that if he declares (which most seem to expect he will) almost certainly will be the next back taken after McFadden. If they don’t go McFadden they probably won’t go RB and Stewart isn’t as recognizable as teammate Dixon.

Mike Hart, Michigan: After the disappointing season they had Hart probably won’t get much consideration. But he is the top senior RB so his name should be out there.

Felix Jones, Arkansas: A fantastic back that was overshadowed by McFadden. For that reason alone he has no shot of getting the cover as everyone would assume that it was McFadden anyway. Unless that was what EA had in mind. Clever idea actually.

WRs

DeSean Jackson, California: The receiver group for this year doesn’t really provide much hope for grabbing the cover. Of them Jackson appears to be the best fit due to the excitement he brings to the field.

Defense

Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU: At this point Dorsey seems to be the name mentioned the most as going first in the draft. For that reason alone his name deserves to be out there when talking about the cover, but the chances of him being put on are minimal. Outside of hardcore football fans no one would recognize him.

Tags:

Whsbraves10

Screw it, just put Joe Pa on there.
Whsbraves10

Screw it, just put Joe Pa on there.
K

[quote comment="8403"][quote comment="8281"]It also could be Louisville’s quarterback Brian Brohm or Marcus Griffin safety of Texas

We’ll see[/quote]

MARCUS GRIFFIN?!?! WHO?!?! you honestly think any1 knows him? HOW BOUT JAMES LAURENITIS[/quote]

No, just no. Retard.
K

[quote comment="8403"][quote comment="8281"]It also could be Louisville’s quarterback Brian Brohm or Marcus Griffin safety of Texas

We’ll see[/quote]

MARCUS GRIFFIN?!?! WHO?!?! you honestly think any1 knows him? HOW BOUT JAMES LAURENITIS[/quote]

No, just no. Retard.
alex

[quote comment="8355"]If Hawaii beats Georgia, then it will definately be Brennan. If UGA wins, then it will most likely be McFadden.[/quote]

EA already made the cover. its not decieded on who wins bowls, we are trying to guess the shaded out person on the cover
alex

[quote comment="8355"]If Hawaii beats Georgia, then it will definately be Brennan. If UGA wins, then it will most likely be McFadden.[/quote]

EA already made the cover. its not decieded on who wins bowls, we are trying to guess the shaded out person on the cover
Mhurricane266

If I had to just pick off top I would say McFadden,but everybody knows Ea picks by their new feature.Its pretty much picking with your eyes closed without knowing what feature they gonna include in the game
http://sportsgamer Mhurricane266

If I had to just pick off top I would say McFadden,but everybody knows Ea picks by their new feature.Its pretty much picking with your eyes closed without knowing what feature they gonna include in the game
Ghettoshark

[quote comment="8414"][quote comment="8355"]If Hawaii beats Georgia, then it will definately be Brennan. If UGA wins, then it will most likely be McFadden.[/quote]

EA already made the cover. its not decieded on who wins bowls, we are trying to guess the shaded out person on the cover[/quote]

No, if you look at last year’s ‘Create-A-Cover’ template, the shaded player (although a QB) wasn’t even close to being in the same pose as Zabransky was on the actual cover. I’m guessing that it probably is a RB because the player on the cover looks like a RB, although a option QB might not be a bad guess either.
Ghettoshark

[quote comment="8414"][quote comment="8355"]If Hawaii beats Georgia, then it will definately be Brennan. If UGA wins, then it will most likely be McFadden.[/quote]

EA already made the cover. its not decieded on who wins bowls, we are trying to guess the shaded out person on the cover[/quote]

No, if you look at last year’s ‘Create-A-Cover’ template, the shaded player (although a QB) wasn’t even close to being in the same pose as Zabransky was on the actual cover. I’m guessing that it probably is a RB because the player on the cover looks like a RB, although a option QB might not be a bad guess either.
http://www.pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

I don’t believe a decision has been made. The season isn’t over and underclassmen (including McFadden) haven’t declared eligibility for the draft. EA wouldn’t be able to sign a player on until that was completed. I don’t even know if they’d be able to sign a senior until the season was fully over. I think its just a tease of the announcement and that maybe they have plans to start up promoting the game with news such as that earlier this year than ever before.
http://www.pastapadre.com pastapadre

I don’t believe a decision has been made. The season isn’t over and underclassmen (including McFadden) haven’t declared eligibility for the draft. EA wouldn’t be able to sign a player on until that was completed. I don’t even know if they’d be able to sign a senior until the season was fully over. I think its just a tease of the announcement and that maybe they have plans to start up promoting the game with news such as that earlier this year than ever before.
o rly

why not worry more about making a quality game for once instead of finding the next draft bust because believe it or not the dude on ncaa 08 doesnt even play in the nfl…typical EA.be glad when these licenses are up.
o rly

why not worry more about making a quality game for once instead of finding the next draft bust because believe it or not the dude on ncaa 08 doesnt even play in the nfl…typical EA.be glad when these licenses are up.
kpf48

Let’s hope they get all the dreadlocks and long hair in the game like madden. This would make this game more realistic. Who cares who is on the cover
I just hope they get alot of the glitches fixed and all the things that all the gamers requested that need to be put in the game.

John David Booty will be on the cover
http://none kpf48

Let’s hope they get all the dreadlocks and long hair in the game like madden. This would make this game more realistic. Who cares who is on the cover
I just hope they get alot of the glitches fixed and all the things that all the gamers requested that need to be put in the game.

John David Booty will be on the cover
alex bruu

what about the greatest qb of all time…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..TIM TEBOW BABY. he won the hiemen as a sophmore and broke not just school records but NCAA RECORDS. that;s amazing so put him on the cover.
alex bruu

what about the greatest qb of all time…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..TIM TEBOW BABY. he won the hiemen as a sophmore and broke not just school records but NCAA RECORDS. that;s amazing so put him on the cover.
hey

hey teams in college football are tending to change to spread offense and thats the most exciting offense in my opinion. Dixon was the most elite spread offense quarterback in college football. thats why dixon should be on the cover!!!!
hey

hey teams in college football are tending to change to spread offense and thats the most exciting offense in my opinion. Dixon was the most elite spread offense quarterback in college football. thats why dixon should be on the cover!!!!
sean

i dont care whos on the front cover, only that ea makes a much better game than last year
sean

i dont care whos on the front cover, only that ea makes a much better game than last year
soonerhomie12

since Dennis Dixon got injured at the end of the season, he shouldn’tget the cover but I think Matt Ryan has a good chance, AND HEY WHY NOT ARMANTI EDWARDS. He was a major part in beating michigan and winning the 1AA national championship.
soonerhomie12

since Dennis Dixon got injured at the end of the season, he shouldn’tget the cover but I think Matt Ryan has a good chance, AND HEY WHY NOT ARMANTI EDWARDS. He was a major part in beating michigan and winning the 1AA national championship.
John

Okay every major magazine in country had McFadden as the cover guy. D. Mac can do it all and is going to be the MVP in the NFL next year you watch. It is a no brainer to know he is the best all around player and will make the cover of NCAA 09.
John

Okay every major magazine in country had McFadden as the cover guy. D. Mac can do it all and is going to be the MVP in the NFL next year you watch. It is a no brainer to know he is the best all around player and will make the cover of NCAA 09.
J Hubbard

There has been a lot of great players this year but no one is more of a threat than McFadden. Every magazine and every sports station has said this all year. He is the most talented player and will go #1 in the NFL draft. He would have one the Heisman two years ago if he was not a sophomore. He is the best overall player in the country.
J Hubbard

There has been a lot of great players this year but no one is more of a threat than McFadden. Every magazine and every sports station has said this all year. He is the most talented player and will go #1 in the NFL draft. He would have one the Heisman two years ago if he was not a sophomore. He is the best overall player in the country.
scott boggs

IF TIM TEBOW IS NOT PART OF THE EQUATION THEN YOU’RE ALL NUTTIER THAN A JAR OF PLANTERS DARK ROASTED NUTS. HE BY FAR WAS THE ALL TIME GREAT OF THIS PAST YEAR AND IT WOULD BE INSANE NOT TO HAVE HIM GRACE THE COVER. FORGET THE NFL DRAFT, THIS IS COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND THERE IS NO BETTER AMBASSADOR TO THE GAME THAN “HE15MAN” DO THE RIGHT THING AND PUT THE KING ON THE COVER.
scott boggs

IF TIM TEBOW IS NOT PART OF THE EQUATION THEN YOU’RE ALL NUTTIER THAN A JAR OF PLANTERS DARK ROASTED NUTS. HE BY FAR WAS THE ALL TIME GREAT OF THIS PAST YEAR AND IT WOULD BE INSANE NOT TO HAVE HIM GRACE THE COVER. FORGET THE NFL DRAFT, THIS IS COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND THERE IS NO BETTER AMBASSADOR TO THE GAME THAN “HE15MAN” DO THE RIGHT THING AND PUT THE KING ON THE COVER.
Brandon Miller

The outline looks like Tim Tebow or possibly McFadden, notice i believe the helmet is a revolution and the last few years the outline is the outline of the exact picture so figure in who the formation of the kid looks like and that could give you your answer possibly….
Brandon Miller

The outline looks like Tim Tebow or possibly McFadden, notice i believe the helmet is a revolution and the last few years the outline is the outline of the exact picture so figure in who the formation of the kid looks like and that could give you your answer possibly….
matt

dennis dixon..the most exciting player in college football this season..he should be on the cover !
matt

dennis dixon..the most exciting player in college football this season..he should be on the cover !
scott boggs

IT DISTURBS ME THAT THE CRITERIA FOR BEING PUT ON THE COVER OF NCAA 09 DEPENDS ON YOUR STATUS GOING INTO THE NFL DRAFT. THAT SHOULD BE THE LEAST CONCERN. NCAA FOOTBALL ACCORDING TO THE COMMENTATOR ON NCAA 08 IS ALL ABOUT YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A COLLEGIATE ATHLETE.

SO IF YOU GO BY THAT ALONE THEN TIM TEBOW IS THE ONLY LOGICAL CHOICE. JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE GREAT IN COLLEGE DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU’RE GOING TO BE A GREAT PRO. IF THATS THE SELLING POINT THEN PUT THIS YEARS GREAT COLLEGE PLAYER ON THE COVER OF MADDEN 09 AFTER HE’S DRAFTED IN THE HIS TEAMS UNIFORM. LETS SEPARATE THE TWO ENTITIES NOW AND KEEP COLLEGE FOOTBALL PURE. “TEBOW FOR NCAA 09″
scott boggs

IT DISTURBS ME THAT THE CRITERIA FOR BEING PUT ON THE COVER OF NCAA 09 DEPENDS ON YOUR STATUS GOING INTO THE NFL DRAFT. THAT SHOULD BE THE LEAST CONCERN. NCAA FOOTBALL ACCORDING TO THE COMMENTATOR ON NCAA 08 IS ALL ABOUT YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A COLLEGIATE ATHLETE.

SO IF YOU GO BY THAT ALONE THEN TIM TEBOW IS THE ONLY LOGICAL CHOICE. JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE GREAT IN COLLEGE DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU’RE GOING TO BE A GREAT PRO. IF THATS THE SELLING POINT THEN PUT THIS YEARS GREAT COLLEGE PLAYER ON THE COVER OF MADDEN 09 AFTER HE’S DRAFTED IN THE HIS TEAMS UNIFORM. LETS SEPARATE THE TWO ENTITIES NOW AND KEEP COLLEGE FOOTBALL PURE. “TEBOW FOR NCAA 09″
Brett

TEBOW CAN’T BE ON THE COVER! The person on the cover gets paid for being on the cover and while you are a college athlete you can’t receive money or gifts from anything. The only people that can be on the cover are the ones that are no longer college athletes like McFadden, Dixon, Ryan, etc.
Brett

TEBOW CAN’T BE ON THE COVER! The person on the cover gets paid for being on the cover and while you are a college athlete you can’t receive money or gifts from anything. The only people that can be on the cover are the ones that are no longer college athletes like McFadden, Dixon, Ryan, etc.
Mitchell

So im pretty sure that the SEC needs more recognition because they have been the ones kicking ass lately so my top 5 stands as

5)Dennis Dixon good knee or bad knee he is still a badass

4)Chris Long…now onto the SEC

3)Andre Woodson…a Kentucky QB…who would expect it

2)Glenn Dorsey..i think its the defenses turn like raylewis with madden

1)Darren McFadden

Oh and by the way watch out for Appalacian State being the reason why D1 2A teams get into the next gen games

Geaux Tigers
Mitchell

So im pretty sure that the SEC needs more recognition because they have been the ones kicking ass lately so my top 5 stands as

5)Dennis Dixon good knee or bad knee he is still a badass

4)Chris Long…now onto the SEC

3)Andre Woodson…a Kentucky QB…who would expect it

2)Glenn Dorsey..i think its the defenses turn like raylewis with madden

1)Darren McFadden

Oh and by the way watch out for Appalacian State being the reason why D1 2A teams get into the next gen games

Geaux Tigers
Kng of Ncaa

sorry to spoil it guys but its Dixon…just look at the pick its obviously someone carrying the rock{McFadden or Dixon)…AND since McFaddens arms are bigger…it cant be him
Kng of Ncaa

sorry to spoil it guys but its Dixon…just look at the pick its obviously someone carrying the rock{McFadden or Dixon)…AND since McFaddens arms are bigger…it cant be him
LSUguy

Armanti Edwards will get the cover, they will introduce FCS teams. Edwards has two years remaining at App St. People are more interested in the FCS than ever. It’s an obvious choice because it could sell more games. It would boost sales in FCS cities. It comes down to dollars and McFadden won’t sell more games.
LSUguy

Armanti Edwards will get the cover, they will introduce FCS teams. Edwards has two years remaining at App St. People are more interested in the FCS than ever. It’s an obvious choice because it could sell more games. It would boost sales in FCS cities. It comes down to dollars and McFadden won’t sell more games.
LSUguy

One more thing, Armanti is left handed and in almost every picture you search of him he has the rock in his left hand… like the picture. I’m not saying that means it’s him, but it sure doesn’t hurt the argument.
LSUguy

One more thing, Armanti is left handed and in almost every picture you search of him he has the rock in his left hand… like the picture. I’m not saying that means it’s him, but it sure doesn’t hurt the argument.
TRAVIS

man make mcfadden the cover guy he deserves it straight up!!!!!!!! or matt ryan???????????
TRAVIS

man make mcfadden the cover guy he deserves it straight up!!!!!!!! or matt ryan???????????
Erik

What about that Moreno Kid from Georgia he is only a sophmore and he already has great potential….
Erik

What about that Moreno Kid from Georgia he is only a sophmore and he already has great potential….