NFL players reacted this week to their ranking and other players’ rankings on the new EA Madden NFL 20 game. Below, we break down 10 players that it comes as no surprise that they were highly-rated in the new video game with memories of their recruitment and thoughts on how it all panned out.
TAKE TWO: How close to top of 2021 QB class is Caleb Williams?
EA rating: 98. A five-star and the top-rated receiver in the 2008 class, only DeAndre Hopkins is ranked higher and Antonio Brown has the same ranking in the game.
Recruiting: Jones committed to Alabama on National Signing Day. He picked the Crimson Tide over Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and others.
Farrell’s take: Jones is one of the best receivers I’ve ever scouted and was so physically dominant out of high school the only way he would bust would be if he was injured. That’s not only because of his physical skills but also his work ethic and motor. He loved the game. It was a good battle between Jones and AJ Green in 2008 for the top wide receiver and Jones won out.
EA rating: 97. By far, Gurley is the top-ranked running back in the game. The four-star was the fifth-best running back in the 2012 class.
Recruiting: A few weeks before National Signing Day, Gurley committed to Georgia although North Carolina, NC State and others made a serious run at him.
Farrell’s take: I’ve said if a bunch of times and I’ll say it again, Gurley should have been a five-star and I didn’t push him up high enough back in 2012. After seeing him at the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas it was clear he was special and had that extra gear. Gurley made a huge jump but it should have been even higher. That being said, his success now is no surprise.
EA rating: 97. A loaded position in the EA game, Khalil Mack, Bobby Wagner and Luke Kuechly are rated higher. In the 2007 class, Miller was ranked as a four-star defensive end outside the Rivals250.
Recruiting: In October of his junior season, MIller committed to Texas A&M over offers from Oklahoma and Florida. Throughout his recruitment, the four-star made multiple visits to College Station.
Farrell’s take: Even though he was outside the Rivals250, it’s no surprise that Miller has had this level of success. He was a superior athlete with a great first step and loved the game.
EA rating: 96. The fourth-best receiver on the EA list, Beckham was ranked as the No. 6 receiver in the 2011 class, two spots behind Jarvis Landry.
Recruiting: The decision was pretty clear for Beckham at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl since he narrowed his list to LSU and Miami but he didn’t take an official visit to the Hurricanes and hadn’t talked much with the new coaching staff.
Farrell’s take: Beckham Jr. was special from his route-running to his ball skills out of high school and he just needed to bulk up and get stronger. He was such a technician that his lack of great size didn’t matter and we knew he would have great success.
EA rating: 96. Cox is listed as the top defensive tackle since Aaron Donald is down as a defensive end. The Yazoo City, Miss., standout was ranked as a four-star weakside defensive end in high school as he weighed 240 pounds.
Recruiting: Cox committed early to Mississippi State and the pledge stuck although he did take a serious look at Alabama. The Crimson Tide pushed him but he said he couldn’t see himself there, only with the Bulldogs.
Farrell’s take: Cox, like most on this list, had a great motor and couldn’t be stopped. We didn’t know he’d bulk up so successfully as he did and become a great defensive tackle but we certainly saw greatness at the end position at least. He’s yet another reason why the state of Mississippi is so underrated when it comes to producing talent.
EA rating: 96. The top-ranked offensive guard in the game, Martin was rated as the No. 22 offensive tackle in the 2009 class and he was a four-star outside the Rivals250.
Recruiting: Notre Dame, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky and Virginia rounded out Martin’s top five but after receiving the Irish offer he visited South Bend a few times and picked the Irish in the summer before his senior year.
Farrell’s take: Martin became a better player than we expected but that didn’t mean we didn’t like him. As a four-star he flashed great potential and found the right fit at Notre Dame for development. Now he’s one of the best linemen in the NFL.
EA rating: 96. Ranked as the top cornerback in the game, Ramsey was a five-star prospect who was rated as the No. 10 recruit in the 2013 class and the third-best corner behind Vernon Hargreaves III and Kendall Fuller.
Recruiting: Ramsey originally committed to USC but still considered other programs. He took official visits to Florida, Florida State, Washington and Mississippi State, which led to his flip to the Seminoles on signing day.
Farrell’s take: Ramsey was a rare big corner who could turn and run with anyone and a great athlete back in high school. He also had some of his current cockiness which we liked. He wanted to be put on an island and play against the best back then and it’s still the case today.
EA rating: 95. Thomas, a four-star athlete just outside the Rivals100 in the 2007 class, is the top-ranked safety in the EA game.
Recruiting: Shortly after a junior day visit to Texas, Thomas committed to the Longhorns and he was the eighth pledge of that weekend. Texas A&M was his only other listed offer.
Farrell’s take: Thomas was a gamer, an undersized safety who played much bigger, loved to initiate contact and had great ball skills out of high school. He was also a leader and made everyone around him better.
EA rating: 95. Out of high school, Thomas was a four-star prospect outside the Rivals250 and then coming out of prep school he was ranked fourth overall in those rankings. He’s the fifth-best receiver in the game.
Recruiting: After playing at Woodland Hills (Calif.) Taft, Thomas went to Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy and picked Ohio State over Notre Dame and Oklahoma State among others. The Buckeyes were considered the front-runner for weeks leading up to his decision.
Farrell’s take: I remember Thomas continually telling me we were sleeping on him during his prep year and how much better he was than we thought and he was right. He said no one could cover him and he’s proven that.
EA rating: 94. Only Gurley is ranked higher in the game at running back than Elliott, who was ranked No. 84 nationally and No. 12 at running back in the 2013 class.
Recruiting: Elliott committed to Ohio State in late March after a visit to Columbus. Elliott did take an official visit to Missouri a week before National Signing Day, but still signed with the Buckeyes despite his father having played for the Tigers.
Farrell’s take: The Elliott we saw in high school wasn’t the Elliott we saw at Ohio State or now but he was pretty special anyhow. He had great vision, good speed and he could make people miss as well as break tackles. We knew he’d be a very good one.
