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:

D von

DENNIS DIXON all the way baby and of thats not a posibillity then throw in McFadden on the cover these two players had great years Ducks went 8-1 under dixon and then fell apart when he hurt his knee agianst arizona
D von

DENNIS DIXON all the way baby and of thats not a posibillity then throw in McFadden on the cover these two players had great years Ducks went 8-1 under dixon and then fell apart when he hurt his knee agianst arizona
Duck Boy

Im 15 and i think that if DENNIS DIXON is the greatest qb that Oregon has yet seen and he ran that spread like a God. God of football!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Duck Boy

Im 15 and i think that if DENNIS DIXON is the greatest qb that Oregon has yet seen and he ran that spread like a God. God of football!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
winston

your crazy im 16 brandon cox desrves the cover is it july yet im ready for this game war eagle
http://none winston

your crazy im 16 brandon cox desrves the cover is it july yet im ready for this game war eagle
Duck Boy

Dennis Dixon doubeled his stats in the 08 season with the spread offence what did “brandon cox do”
Duck Boy

Dennis Dixon doubeled his stats in the 08 season with the spread offence what did “brandon cox do”
winston

he beat alabama did jonnie dixon no oh by the wat what do you say to oregon vs auburn in 2009 national title
http://none winston

he beat alabama did jonnie dixon no oh by the wat what do you say to oregon vs auburn in 2009 national title
Buckeye

The cover athlete should be Troy Smith of Ohio State since he won the Heisman last year and got screwed over and didnt make the cover.
Buckeye

The cover athlete should be Troy Smith of Ohio State since he won the Heisman last year and got screwed over and didnt make the cover.
winston

its going to be matthew stafford i heard this from reliable sources
http://none winston

its going to be matthew stafford i heard this from reliable sources
hawkeyefan23

i hope its not mcfadden his backup had a better season than him.

heres my top 5

1. “Colt Brennan-Hawaii” – amazing stats not a lot of team to back him up. Hawaii needs a little bit more attention they did only have one loss but they played really hard during the regular season.

2.”Dennis Dixon-Oregon”- definately better than his teammates and they had a good season because of him.

3. “Andre Woodson-Kentucky”- had a great season and wouldnt be surprised to see him get on the cover. He has a great arm also.

4. “Desean Jackson- Cal”- is a great player and would be the second reciever ever to be on the cover behind Larry Fitzgerald. You never know Larry was on the cover and is a very good player. So could Jackson

5. “Tim Teebow- Florida” – should be on it after all he did win the heisman but no one remembers that by now. After he got heisman i barely heard about it. that is sad because he is a good player and deserved to win it.

i would really like to see another defensive player on there my #1 choice for defense would be “Antoine Cason – Arizona” Charles Woodson was an amazing college player and now an awesome pro.

One team that deserves credit for a good season is Air Force they had a decent regular season and in ther bowl they were winning 21-0 against cal before cal started to play and came back. Iowa hawkeyes also had a season that was pretty good but cut short by a dissapointing loss to western michigan to lose hope of a bowl. No one remembers this but Iowa actually beat illinois!!! yes the same illinois that went to the rose bowl. iowa beat them and deserves a bowl just for that.
hawkeyefan23

i hope its not mcfadden his backup had a better season than him.

heres my top 5

1. “Colt Brennan-Hawaii” – amazing stats not a lot of team to back him up. Hawaii needs a little bit more attention they did only have one loss but they played really hard during the regular season.

2.”Dennis Dixon-Oregon”- definately better than his teammates and they had a good season because of him.

3. “Andre Woodson-Kentucky”- had a great season and wouldnt be surprised to see him get on the cover. He has a great arm also.

4. “Desean Jackson- Cal”- is a great player and would be the second reciever ever to be on the cover behind Larry Fitzgerald. You never know Larry was on the cover and is a very good player. So could Jackson

5. “Tim Teebow- Florida” – should be on it after all he did win the heisman but no one remembers that by now. After he got heisman i barely heard about it. that is sad because he is a good player and deserved to win it.

i would really like to see another defensive player on there my #1 choice for defense would be “Antoine Cason – Arizona” Charles Woodson was an amazing college player and now an awesome pro.

One team that deserves credit for a good season is Air Force they had a decent regular season and in ther bowl they were winning 21-0 against cal before cal started to play and came back. Iowa hawkeyes also had a season that was pretty good but cut short by a dissapointing loss to western michigan to lose hope of a bowl. No one remembers this but Iowa actually beat illinois!!! yes the same illinois that went to the rose bowl. iowa beat them and deserves a bowl just for that.
winston

believe me when i say mathhew stafford or knowshon moreno will get the cover and ea sports will ignore other desrving players such as john david booty glen dorsey daren mcfadden or tim tebow like in 2005 eli manning should have recieved the cover instead some pittsburg player did
http://none winston

believe me when i say mathhew stafford or knowshon moreno will get the cover and ea sports will ignore other desrving players such as john david booty glen dorsey daren mcfadden or tim tebow like in 2005 eli manning should have recieved the cover instead some pittsburg player did
Adam

“5. “Tim Teebow- Florida” – should be on it after all he did win the heisman but no one remembers that by now. After he got heisman i barely heard about it. that is sad because he is a good player and deserved to win it.”

When are you people going to learn that a player that is currently in college can’t grace the cover of an ncaa football game because it is an NCAA violation.
Adam

“5. “Tim Teebow- Florida” – should be on it after all he did win the heisman but no one remembers that by now. After he got heisman i barely heard about it. that is sad because he is a good player and deserved to win it.”

When are you people going to learn that a player that is currently in college can’t grace the cover of an ncaa football game because it is an NCAA violation.
Duck boy

Exactlly why dixon should have the cover hes going pro he had a FANTASTIC year and ill tip my hat to iowa they did beat illi
Duck boy

Exactlly why dixon should have the cover hes going pro he had a FANTASTIC year and ill tip my hat to iowa they did beat illi
Duck boy

Oh and the south florda bulls beat you in overtime we wooped there @$$ so bad that your auburn team looked as bad NCAA Football 98
Duck boy

Oh and the south florda bulls beat you in overtime we wooped there @$$ so bad that your auburn team looked as bad NCAA Football 98
Duck boy

And Bring That National Championship 09 you know that if Roper is starting you saw what he did to the bulls and you know the same will come for your all mighty tigers ;(
Duck boy

And Bring That National Championship 09 you know that if Roper is starting you saw what he did to the bulls and you know the same will come for your all mighty tigers ;(
winston

auburn will win in a nc in 09 unlike the bammers who think they can ressurect the bear with nick saban hey duck boy if auburn plays for the nc in 09 against oregon then youll hear 2 words tiger meat
http://none winston

auburn will win in a nc in 09 unlike the bammers who think they can ressurect the bear with nick saban hey duck boy if auburn plays for the nc in 09 against oregon then youll hear 2 words tiger meat
Duck boy

Well lets hope we meet in the nc because all youll hear is OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH while were handing your tigers the biggest wooping your ever ever have GO DUCKS

DIXON FOR COVER
Duck boy

Well lets hope we meet in the nc because all youll hear is OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH while were handing your tigers the biggest wooping your ever ever have GO DUCKS

DIXON FOR COVER
winston

i gotta idea lets start the countdown to ncaa 09 ive seen the realease date at gamestop and its july 15th
http://none winston

i gotta idea lets start the countdown to ncaa 09 ive seen the realease date at gamestop and its july 15th
BeAsT 21

ur all Wrong with a big W itll either be Dennis Dixon

or [J]onathan Stewart RB BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BeAsT 21

ur all Wrong with a big W itll either be Dennis Dixon

or [J]onathan Stewart RB BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
winston

wrong it will be john david booty
http://none winston

wrong it will be john david booty
winston

it would be cool to have coaches on the cover but i dont want les miles or bear bryant
http://none winston

it would be cool to have coaches on the cover but i dont want les miles or bear bryant
Duck boy

Oregon will rise and all will fall
Duck boy

Oregon will rise and all will fall
winston

how many days till it realeases i saw on gamestop it comes out july 15th
http://none winston

how many days till it realeases i saw on gamestop it comes out july 15th
Mountaineer Maniac 5

Pat White baby !!!! He’s perfect.
Mountaineer Maniac 5

Pat White baby !!!! He’s perfect.
Roy

You better give it to Rutgers RB Ray Rice. If you watch him play more often, he can run really, really fast. So give it to him.
Roy

You better give it to Rutgers RB Ray Rice. If you watch him play more often, he can run really, really fast. So give it to him.
winston

kodi burns war eagle
http://none winston

kodi burns war eagle
Duck boy

Dennis or Johnny Dixon or Stewart
Duck boy

Dennis or Johnny Dixon or Stewart