Jeremy Payne enters 2026 with an 84 rating in EA Sports College Football 27, but TCU’s explosive running back looks ready to leave that number behind.
EA Sports College Football 27 gave TCU running back Jeremy Payne an 84 overall rating.
That’s respectable, but as Bleacher Report wrote, it may look laughably conservative by the time the 2026 season reaches full speed.
Payne finished last year by giving the Horned Frogs a glimpse of what could happen when the offense runs through him.
Over TCU’s final three games, he piled up 350 rushing yards while averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He also caught eight passes for 109 yards and produced four total touchdowns.
TCU enters 2026 with Payne positioned to take command of the backfield. Jon Denman and lower-division transfer Landon Walker should earn opportunities, but neither enters the season with Payne’s combination of proven production, open-field speed and receiving ability.
The biggest reason Payne could outperform his video-game rating is volume. He doesn’t need a dramatic leap in talent if his workload rises significantly.
A few extra carries each week, more designed touches in space and an expanded role in the passing game could push his numbers into another tier.
Payne rushed for 623 yards and five touchdowns in 2025 while averaging 5.7 yards per attempt.
Those totals came without him operating as the unquestioned centerpiece for most of the year. His closing stretch suggested he’s capable of much more when given control.
An 84 rating treats Payne like a very good player. TCU may be preparing to use him like a star.
Ratings are always going to trigger arguments, and EA’s developers can’t predict every breakout. Still, Payne feels like one of the safer bets to make his digital version look outdated quickly.
By October, TCU fans may already be demanding an update.
Follow Timm Hamm on X at @IndyCarTim.
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