Notably absent from this year’s marketing campaign are Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian and star quarterback Arch Manning. The pair opted out of College Football 26 Coins a photoshoot at the Rose Bowl, which was reportedly intended for promotional material for College Football 26. Last year, Texas QB Quinn Ewers featured prominently on the cover alongside Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Michigan’s Donovan Edwards.

Despite their absence, a leaked image of the Deluxe Edition cover showed several confirmed athletes and coaches, including Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs, Alabama’s Ryan Williams, Penn State’s Nick Singleton, and Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. Prominent coaches such as Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Oregon’s Dan Lanning also appear, alongside football legends like Tim Tebow and Reggie Bush.

Multiple cover versions are rumored to be in the works, with editions highlighting coaches, legends, and various star players. While the absence of Manning—a highly marketable figure and presumed breakout starter—may surprise some fans, his and Sarkisian’s decision to remain in Austin underscores their focus on the upcoming college season.

With College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26, EA is offering more than just a pair of annual releases. These games represent a broader narrative of progress: improved gameplay, fair athlete compensation, and immersive career modes that take players from the earliest stages of competition all the way to professional glory.

As the release dates approach, fans can expect more reveals, feature breakdowns, and gameplay previews. For now, the future of digital football looks bright—and this summer, gamers will once again take the field for CFB 26 Coins glory.