Predicting who every Pac-12 team's cover athlete would be for the upcoming EA Sports video game

Many college football fans grew up playing what can only be considered one of the best games ever

Earlier this week college football fans all over rejoiced and came together for one of the few times where ever fanbase is on the same page. 

The source of this excitement? The return of the EA Sports College Football Game, which was discontinued in 2014 despite being one of the more popular sports video games.

In a recent report by The Athletic, it was confirmed that a partnership between EA Sports and OneTeam for group licensing will allow for players to choose whether their name, image and likeness is used in the game. However, at this point in time revenue distribution hasn't been determined.

If you haven't played the game or forgot how the game used to be in terms of who was in it, notable players such as Colt McCoy, Andrew Luck, Reggie Bush were represented either by their position and number "QB12" or as a game generated name like "John Doe". So while the character was obviously based off of players, the players names, image, and likenesses were not allowed to be used. 

With the game finally making a return, much of the discussion surrounding the next release is who will be on the cover of the game. An honor held by notable names such as Larry Fitzgerald, Robert Griffin III, Bush, and most recently Denard Robinson. As it stands over 120 of the 133 FBS schools have already committed to being in the game through the Collegiate Licensing Company, and they expect all 133 to join in.

With all of the excitement and buzz surrounding the game, I decided to break down the player from each Pac-12 team that would have the best chance of gracing the cover. 

Arizona: Jacob Cowing, WR

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The stud receiver has put up big numbers all four years of his college career, and is just lightning in a bottle. He would mark the first wide receiver since NCAA 2010 to grace the cover when Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree was one of the four different cover athletes. 

Arizona State: Cameron Skattebo, RB

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While he may be new to the roster, there is just some sort of electricity around the Sacramento State transfer. He is a powerful runner and is great in the passing game. The Sun Devils will likely rely on him heavily, and the powerful small running back would join the 2012 cover athlete Mark Ingram as the most recent running back to be on the cover.

Cal: Jadyn Ott , RB

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The young dominant running back would actually mark the second Cal player to grace the cover as DeSean Jackson was featured on the 2009 cover along with Matt Ryan, and Darren McFadden among others. Ott is arguably the best running back in the conference, and could be the key to Cal making it to a bowl game in 2023. 

Colorado: Travis Hunter, WR/DB

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The former No. 1 recruit and transfer may have a legitimate case to actually grace the cover eventually. Despite being limited to a handful of games in 2022, he is already viewed as one of the best players in college football. Similar to Woodson he will play both ways, but unlike Woodson there is a good chance that he will be the Buffs' leading receiver in 2023. It's also a possibility that Deion Sanders becomes the first coach to grace the cover. 

Oregon: Bo Nix, QB

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Surprisingly this is the first quarterback to make the list, but who better than Oregon's Bo Nix to end the streak here. The Auburn transfer excelled this past season, and he also has a legitimate chance of gracing the cover. He would join fellow Duck and quarterback Joey Harrington (2003) as the next Duck to be on the cover. Nix is a dynamic quarterback who can throw and run, and if he can build off his great season in 2022 it'd be hard to not consider him. 

Oregon State: Damien Martinez, RB

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Martinez burst onto the scene last year rushing for nearly 1,000 yards with seven rushing touchdowns. He led the Beavers great rushing attack, and could end up being the best running back in the conference. 

Stanford: E.J. Smith, RB

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The running back talent in the Pac-12 could be the deepest in the country, and Stanford's E.J. Smith is a healthy season away from introducing himself to the country. He has been banged up over the past couple seasons, which has been his downfall in Palo Alto but he has game breaker potential. Tight end Benjamin Yurosek is also an option, but the cover has never featured a tight end. However, it did feature a fullback in 2009 when West Virginia's Owen Schmitt graced the cover. 

UCLA: Laiatu Latu, LB

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Don't worry this list isn't going to be entirely offensive players despite there only being two defensive players in Charles Woodson (1999) and Brian Orakpo (2010) to grace the cover. He racked up 10.5 sacks a year ago, and can end up being one of the most dominant players in the conference in 2023. 

USC: Caleb Williams, QB

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Caleb Williams probably has the best case of anyone on this list, and even out of everyone in college football. The 2022 Heisman winner is the best player in college football, and if he was to be picked, would break the tie between Michigan and USC for the most cover athletes as they both have three.  He would join Reggie Bush, Carson Palmer, and Mark Sanchez as Trojans on the cover.

Utah: Cameron Rising, QB

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Cameron Rising would not only be the second Ute to grace the cover, but he would be the second Ute quarterback to be on the cover as Brian Johnson was one of the cover athletes in 2010. Rising has led Utah to their first and second Pac-12 titles, and is looking to lead them to a third straight. 

Washington: Michael Penix Jr., QB

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Not only would Michael Penix Jr. be the first Washington player to be on the cover, but oddly enough he would be the first lefty quarterback. The other 12 quarterbacks to be on the cover were all right handed. Penix is looking to lead the Huskies to glory in 2023, and has a stable of elite receivers to help him along the way. 

Washington State: Cameron Ward, QB

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Cameron Ward has the makings of a surprise cover athlete if he were to live up to his potential in Pullman. He has a huge arm and is very evasive in the pocket, which can lead to some special moments.