Top NCAA Football 09 cover candidates
December 27, 2007 by pastapadre
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.
” 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.”
Uh, I would. Only because he’s awesome. And could probably make Chuck Norris his bitch.
The lack of Antoine Cason in this topic is heartbreaking.
I will be surprised if anybody but McFadden gets the nod for the cover. Easily he is the most recognizable name out of those that you listed above for the casual sports fan.
McFadden book it.
Every year it has always been a senior.
I am going with the quarterback of Missouri Chase Daniel or it could be USC’s quarterback John David Booty
We’ll see
What about Kevin Smith?
It also could be Louisville’s quarterback Brian Brohm or Marcus Griffin safety of Texas
We’ll see
Daniel & Smith are juniors and expected to return to school.
I think it’s practically a lock to be McFadden (and deservedly so), but Appalachian State QB Armanti Edwards would be my personal pick - however, that is based on the condition FCS (I-AA) schools are added in 09.
no doubt pat white. the pic fits him perfectly
kpf48 wrote:
What about Reggie Bush?
McFadden or Dorsey I would suspect… if Dorsey has a bad ass game in the BCS I would pretty much put money on him being the cover athlete.
What about Chris Weinke? Kidding.
My top five:
1) Darren McFadden (Top pick in next year’s draft unless he does the unthinkable)
2) Colt Brennan (Hawaii needs some props)
3) Dennis Dixon (Why not? He has proven to be the most valuable player to his team…Most deserving)
4) OSU Coach Mike Gundy (He’s a man!!! — Put him on the cover)
5) Darren Woodson (Kentucky — Guy can throw the rock)
I wouldn’t mind seeing EA implement a classic player on the cover again. Bring in classic teams and wallah!!
Top five classic players:
1) Red Grange (That would be sweet)
2) Bo Jackson (the best video game back in the history of virtual football)
3) Archie Griffin (the lone two-time Heisman winner)
4) Joe Montana
5) Woody Hayes / Bo Schembechler / Joe Pa / Bobby Bowden / Barry Switzer / Ara Parsegian / etc. / etc. / Classic coaches
Eski- good call on Gundy. I really hope dynasty mode lets you do something like that lol.
Just had a thought. Wouldn’t putting Dixon or Stewart represent alternate uniforms (which they’ve guaranteed for next year)? Oregon has like 40 combinations. Imagine if they had all those in 09 that would be something lol. Course they wouldn’t choose someone just based on that, but I got a chuckle out of the idea.
Bo Jackson all day…
Prob will be Mcfadden
Classic player - Marshall Faulk. Dude was a beast at SDSU and the NFL
Today’s player - Glenn Dorsey. He’ll be the first on the cover that has a big gut.
does it matter last some didnt much about
I think it should be Darren McFadden if not probably John David Booty
kpf48 wrote:
Wow every year a senior huh? Bush= Jr, and with your theory Chase Daniel is a Jr also.. Very funny dude.
If Hawaii beats Georgia, then it will definately be Brennan. If UGA wins, then it will most likely be McFadden.
Additional classic players I failed to mention:
1) Barry Sanders (B E S T RB E V E R!!)
2) Dan Marino
3) Eric Dickerson (Smooth as SMU)
4) Tommy Frazier (career shortened with clots)
5) Earl Campbell (bring on the tear away jerseys)
Oh, I forgot; Neon Deion would’ve been perfect for the cover.
You guys are all dumb Ray Rice baby
With EA getting more ballsy with their covers, I wouldn’t be shocked if they pick App State’s Corey Lynch who blocked the FG against Michigan. He’s an NFL prospect and that was a very memorable moment in 2007. One would suspect FCS teams to be included en masse in 09 after the major upset.
kpf48 wrote:
MARCUS GRIFFIN?!?! WHO?!?! you honestly think any1 knows him? HOW BOUT JAMES LAURENITIS
Screw it, just put Joe Pa on there.
Whsbraves10 wrote:
No, just no. Retard.
Joe wrote:
EA already made the cover. its not decieded on who wins bowls, we are trying to guess the shaded out person on the cover
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
alex wrote:
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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!!!!
i dont care whos on the front cover, only that ea makes a much better game than last year
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.
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.
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.
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.
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….
dennis dixon..the most exciting player in college football this season..he should be on the cover !
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″
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.
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
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
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.
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.
man make mcfadden the cover guy he deserves it straight up!!!!!!!! or matt ryan???????????
What about that Moreno Kid from Georgia he is only a sophmore and he already has great potential….
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
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
your crazy im 16 brandon cox desrves the cover is it july yet im ready for this game war eagle
Dennis Dixon doubeled his stats in the 08 season with the spread offence what did “brandon cox do”
he beat alabama did jonnie dixon no oh by the wat what do you say to oregon vs auburn in 2009 national title
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.
its going to be matthew stafford i heard this from reliable sources
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.
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
“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.
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
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
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 ;(
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
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
i gotta idea lets start the countdown to ncaa 09 ive seen the realease date at gamestop and its july 15th
ur all Wrong with a big W itll either be Dennis Dixon
or [J]onathan Stewart RB BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wrong it will be john david booty
it would be cool to have coaches on the cover but i dont want les miles or bear bryant
Oregon will rise and all will fall
how many days till it realeases i saw on gamestop it comes out july 15th
Pat White baby !!!! He’s perfect.
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.
kodi burns war eagle
Dennis or Johnny Dixon or Stewart
The Bear!
kodi burns oh and ixsucks he really hrealy sucks
The world will com to an end and all you can talk about is a football game “Ahmen” and Go ducks
EVERYBODY GOT THEIR OWN OPINIONS BUT FOR REAL DARREN MCFADDEN SHOULD BE ON THE COVER THEY BEEN DICKEN DAT MAN FOR TWO SEASONS ON THE HEISMAN THE LEAST THEY CAN DO IS PUT HIM THE COVER!!!!! JUS LIKE MADDEN NEED TO PUT ADRIAN PETERSON ON THE COVER NO NEED TO DISAGREE!!!!
tim tebow gon make the cover of ncaa football 09 the heisman winner always get the cover
OK i see LET IT BE DIXON OR McFADDEN oh and daniel you are stupid no tim tebow im sorry but come on man And GOD said have a good DAY !!!!!!!!!!!
It clearly should be McFadden, It cannot be a current player in college football, and McFadden is one of if not the best player coming out of the draft. I do however, like the idea of putting an App St. player on the cover due to the huge upset.
To all those who think Auburn will be in the national championship, you surely have to be kidding.
and why wont auburn be in the national title the only problem is qb bama wont be baxck until bamers stop living in the clouds
auburn couldn’t even beat south florida last year.. and bearly beat clemson in their last game.. they had one of the worst recruiting classes in the SEC this season and i just see them fading out.
now listen auburn whipped south florida until the refs cheated and didnt say he stepped out on that return usf cheated in overtime auburn recruiting class was great better than bamaers lammers auburn is stronger than ever oh by the way if any usf fans are listening guess what i did when orgeon beat usf i made a sign and said rest in peace jim leavit usf is burned to the ground itll teach to cheat against auburn
I am a die-hard Auburn fan. I came across this site and saw these last posts. I am not here to argue, I would just like to say to all Auburn fans….Please learn how to type! It is getting annoying when I have to read over a post more than once, and it is also very embarrasing.
hey yea war eagle
I know yall dont think so but i think Cory Boyd or Kenny Mckinley on the Gamecocks!!!!! Cory Boyd when he scored a touchdown against georgia when he is on one knee pointing up or when kenny mckinly took the go ahead touchdown against Clemson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
probably will be john david booty
my sources tell me that it will come down to 3 people glenn dorsey john david booty and darren mcfadden with john david booty winning because of reggie bush on the 07 cover and carson palmer on the 04 cover and john would make it 3 usc players to make the cover
Colt not one of NCAA best QB’z he’s better then Matt Ryan
well wait and see darren mcfaden and glenn dorsey will get a serious look before john david booty wins a darke hores to win it i would say is dennis dixon but dont be surprised if a player not even considered to make the cover makes it like on the 07 cover everyone thought it would be vince young but reggie bush beat him to it so if todd beckman leaves early for the draft he could make the cover
Come on guys, Tebow is a BEAST! He should be on the cover. Even if he isn’t, I think Ray Rice would be a fine candidate.
Dudes, come on, Ra