It's that exciting time of year again as EA Sports gears up to release "College Football 27," the latest installment in their beloved college football video game series. As anticipation builds, they've just dropped the launch ratings for a swath of college players, including those from the North Carolina Tar Heels.
The Tar Heels are stepping into their second season with the legendary Bill Belichick at the helm. While there's a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the team, there's also a glimmer of hope for a successful turnaround in the 2026 season. Let's dive into the ratings for North Carolina in CFB 27 and see what insights we can gather about their roster as we count down to the game's worldwide release on July 9.
EA Sports seems to be betting big on the Tar Heels' new running back, Kaleb Jackson. The redshirt junior kicks off the game with an impressive 81 overall rating.
He shares this rating with fellow redshirt junior Benjamin Hall, who brings more experience and production from his time in Baton Rouge. Jackson's strengths lie in his high carrying (84), trucking (87), and stiff arm (88) ratings.
With offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino expected to focus on a physical ground game, having such powerful runners in the backfield could be a game-changer for the Tar Heels.
On the offensive line, we see some fresh talent stepping up with Jacqawn McRoy and Andrew Threatt potentially starting at right tackle and right guard, respectively. However, the rest of the line didn't fare as well in the ratings.
Starting center Christo Kelly leads the pack with a 78 rating, followed by left tackle Jordan Hall (78), McRoy (75), left guard Aidan Banfield (74), and Threatt (73). If you're planning to play as the Tar Heels, be prepared for a bit of a challenge up front.
But in reality, this group has the potential for better days, especially if Banfield remains healthy and becomes a solid force in the trenches.
When you think of North Carolina's standout players for the upcoming season, names like edge rusher Melkart Abou-Jaoude, cornerback Kaleb Cost, and wide receiver Jordan Shipp are sure to pop up. EA Sports seems to agree, rating Abou-Jaoude as the team's top player with an 89 overall. He's followed by Cost at 86, running back Demon June at 84, Shipp at 83, and kicker Aeron Burrell at 82, rounding out the top five Tar Heels for CFB 27's launch.
The Tar Heels' tight end room is looking intriguing as well, with new additions from the Big Ten and SEC making waves. Ohio State transfer Jelani Thurman and Texas newcomer Jordan Washington are rated as UNC's top tight ends in the game, with an 81 and 76 overall, respectively.
Completing the group are Colorado State transfer Jaxxon Warren (71) and team stalwart Shamar Easter (74). This collection of tight ends boasts diverse skill sets, promising a deep and impactful season.
As the release date approaches, fans and gamers alike are eager to see how these ratings play out on the virtual field. Whether you're a die-hard Tar Heels supporter or just a fan of the game, "College Football 27" is shaping up to be a thrilling addition to the series.
In Other News...
Former Tar Heel Henri Veesaar Finally Faced His Draft Night Reality
Henri Veesaars draft night did not unfold the way most of the chatter around him had pointed for months. The former Tar Heel entered the process with first-round expectations, but a crowded class and a less convincing showing at the scouting combine pushed him into a far less comfortable spot, turning what had looked like a clean rise into a night of waiting and recalculating.
When the Hawks finally came in during the second round, Veesaar got his answer and soon enough was talking through how he fits in Atlanta. For North Carolina, it was a reminder of how quickly draft boards can shift, and how a players value can be shaped as much by timing and pre-draft workouts as by what he did in college. [Read more 🡒]
UNCs No. 26 Could Change The Offense Where It Hurt Most
North Carolina has spent the offseason trying to rebuild the parts of its roster that let it down a year ago, and the tight end room has become one of the more interesting places to watch. Bill Belichicks first team in Chapel Hill is under real pressure to show progress, so the additions through recruiting and the transfer portal matter more than ever, especially when they give the offense a different kind of target in the middle of the field.
The latest arrival brings the kind of size and profile that can change how a defense has to line up, and he came to UNC with plenty of attention after drawing interest around the portal. What makes him even more important is the uncertainty at quarterback, with the Tar Heels still sorting out who will take the first snaps in the fall. If that battle leans toward a younger option, a reliable tight end could become the kind of security blanket that helps this offense find answers in the red zone, where it needs them most. [Read more 🡒]
Two Former Tar Heels Are Bringing Chapel Hill With Them to the NBA
Two former Tar Heels are keeping a little piece of Chapel Hill with them as they head into the NBA. Caleb Wilson, the fourth overall pick, will wear No. 8 with the Chicago Bulls, the same number he wore at North Carolina, while Henri Veesaar is taking No. 13 into his pro career after being picked by the Los Angeles Clippers and then traded to the Atlanta Hawks.
For Carolina fans, it is a small but familiar detail that makes the transition feel a little less distant. Wilsons lone season in Chapel Hill ended early because of injury, but the number on his back will still look the part when he steps on an NBA floor. Veesaar, meanwhile, is continuing the number he carried through both Arizona and North Carolina, another reminder that even as the roster turns over, some Tar Heel connections travel well beyond college. [Read more 🡒]