There will be no EA Sports NCAA Football 15 next year, and the video game company is currently reviewing the future of the long-running franchise. The news broke in a somber statement released Thursday afternoon, citing the ongoing legal battle with former players over use of their likeness.
Each player who has appeared in the football and basketball game marketed by EA since 2003 -- Dennis Dodd estimates that as approximately 125,000 men -- is eligible for settlement money. The NCAA and EA Sports are beginning the process of navigating the legalities of such a settlement, but EA Sports is done making college football games, we want to say our farewell. Below is a review of the cover athletes for each edition of the NCAA Football.
NOTE: This list begins with the first edition of NCAA Football, which followed Bill Walsh College Football '95 and two editions of the College Football USA game.
College Football USA 97: Nebraska QB Tommie Frazier
NCAA Football 98 -- Cover Athlete: Florida QB Danny Wuerffel
NCAA Football 99 -- Cover Athlete: Michigan DB Charles Woodson
NCAA Football 2000 -- Cover Athlete: Texas RB Ricky Williams
NCAA Football 2001-- Cover Athlete: Alabama RB Shaun Alexander
NCAA Football 2002 -- Cover Athlete: Florida State QB Chris Weinke
NCAA Football 2003: -- Cover Athlete: Oregon QB Joey Harrington
NCAA Football 2004: -- Cover Athlete: USC QB Carson Palmer
NCAA Football 2005: -- Cover Athlete: Pitt WR Larry Fitzgerald
NCAA Football 06: -- Cover Athlete: Michigan WR Desmond Howard
NCAA Football 07: -- Cover Athlete: USC RB Reggie Bush
NCAA Football 08 -- Cover Athlete: Boise State QB Jared Zabranksy
NCAA Football 09: -- Cover Athletes: Cal WR DeSean Jackson/Boston College QB Matt Ryan/West Virginia FB Owen Schmitt/Sparty/Arkansas RB Darren McFadden
NCAA Football 10: -- Cover Athletes: Texas DE Brian Orakpo/Utah QB Brian Johnson/USC QB Mark Sanchez/Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree
NCAA Football 11: -- Cover Athlete: Florida QB Tim Tebow
NCAA Football 12: -- Cover Athlete: Alabama RB Mark Ingram
NCAA Football 13: -- Cover Athlete: Baylor QB Robert Griffin III
NCAA Football 14: -- Cover Athlete: Michigan QB Denard Robinson
BY THE NUMBERS
Most appearances by school: Michigan (3), USC (3), Florida (2), Texas (2)
Appearances by position: Quarterbacks (12), running backs/fullbacks (5), wide receivers (4), defensive players (2), mascots (1)
SUPERLATIVES
Best Cover, Settlement Division (2003-Present): NCAA Football 08. The decision to release multiple covers for NCAA Football 09 and NCAA Football 10 throw a kink in any rankings or debate, making it tougher to make a case for Sparty, Owen Schmitt or current Utah offensive coordinator Brian Johnson. Zabransky's place on the cover of NCAA Football 08 was a stamp of approval for the Boise State underdog story. The Broncos earned their reputation on the field, but the masses were forced to realize what was happening on the Smurf Turf when they saw Zabransky on the cover.
Best Cover, Non-Settlement Division: College Football USA 97. Tommie Frasier and the block lettering on the cover remind us a simpler time in football video games. The early games also frequently reached out to Heisman Trophy winners for the cover. Frasier and Shaun Alexander were the only pre-2003 cover athletes not to win the prestigious award.
