The profile of Arizona State football continues to grow on a national scale.
A photo of the potential cover of the deluxe edition for EA Sports College Football 26 was leaked on Wednesday, showing a handful of top players and coaches in the sport. Included was ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt, located in the middle, and coach Kenny Dillingham flanked behind to his left.
EA Sports would not say if the photo was real, but The Athletic’s Chris Vannini spoke with people around the situation who confirmed the photo was real and that the photoshoot took place Wednesday. The photo shows athletes, coaches and mascots in the stands of a football stadium.
Athletes also reportedly included were: Michigan’s Bryce Underwood, Florida’s DJ Lagway, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Penn State’s Nick Singleton, Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, Alabama’s Ryan Williams, Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart.
Ohio State’s Ryan Day, Georgia’s Kirby Smart, Penn State’s James Franklin and Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin were some of the coaches who were reportedly featured as well.
That’s right — ASU is reportedly included with the blue bloods of college football, the latest step in the Sun Devils gaining steam. The cover image comes after one of the most successful seasons in school history as ASU went 11-3, winning the Big 12 title in its first year in the conference and earned the No. 4 seed in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.
Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, ASU and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at logan.stanley@gannett.com or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LSscribe.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Leaked EA photo shows ASU football featured on cover of video game
