EA Sports’ latest college football game is giving Syracuse fans a fresh look at the Orange, and the ratings put a spotlight on a few familiar names.
Defensive back Chris Peal comes in as Syracuse’s top-rated player in College Football 27, checking in at 92 overall. That puts him three points ahead of the next-best Orange player, Demetres Samuel Jr.
Peal is entering his fourth season of college football and first showed up on Syracuse’s roster in 2025. The 6-foot-1 defensive back was a four-star recruit out of Charlotte, N.C., and before arriving in Central New York he played 10 games across two seasons for Georgia.
Last fall, Peal started all 12 games for Syracuse, finished with 43 tackles and helped a team that went 3-9. His name is already popping up on multiple national sites as a potential first-round pick.
Samuel, meanwhile, was one of the steadier pieces on the Orange defense last season. The sophomore defensive back played in all 12 games and posted 31 tackles, one interception and nine pass breakups. He also saw some snaps on offense and caught 10 yards receiving, with the possibility of more dual-threat work this season.
Speed is another area where Syracuse’s roster stands out. Braheem Long Jr. is the fastest player on the virtual Orange, rated at 93 speed.
The junior defensive back has played in 23 games over his first two seasons at Syracuse. Right behind him are Darius Johnson, Peal and Samuel, all tied at 92 speed.
Johnson appeared in four games last season and made one start.
Up front, Kam Pringle gets the nod as Syracuse’s strongest player, earning a 92 strength rating. The sophomore offensive lineman is projected to be one of the team’s top blockers this season and appeared in every game in 2025.
Sophomore Bryon Washington and junior Naquil Betrand are tied for second in strength. Washington played in nine games with three starts, while Betrand logged eight games and two starts at offensive tackle.
At quarterback, projected starter Steve Angeli leads the room with an 81 rating. After a season-ending injury last fall, Angeli is expected to open the year as Syracuse’s Week 1 starter in September.
Transfer quarterback Amari Odom is next at 78. Syracuse is Odom’s third school in three seasons after stops at Wofford in 2024 and Kennesaw State in 2025.
Fellow transfers Malachi Nelson and Danny Lauter are tied at 71 overall.
College Football 27 is already available on an early-access trial and will be released to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC users on July 9.
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