One of the most groundbreaking elements of this Deluxe Edition cover College Football 26 Coins is the confirmed presence of high-profile college football coaches. Georgia’s Kirby Smart, Penn State’s James Franklin, and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham are all clearly visible in the image. This is particularly significant because EA Sports College Football 25, which marked the franchise's return after an 11-year hiatus, did not include real-life coaches.

Their appearance on the cover hints at a dramatic shift in the game’s licensing agreements and may reflect an effort by EA to create a more immersive and authentic experience. The potential to see Smart pacing the sidelines or Dillingham calling plays in-game adds a new level of realism fans have longed for.
Freshman First: Bryce Underwood Breaks Barriers

The inclusion of Michigan's Bryce Underwood is another bold move. Underwood, a true freshman who enrolled early at Michigan, becomes the first freshman ever featured on a cover of an EA Sports college football game. Already a social media sensation, he boasts the highest NIL valuation of any college football freshman per On3 and is second only to basketball phenom Cooper Flagg among all collegiate freshmen.

Underwood’s early rise underscores the shifting dynamics in college athletics, where branding and potential are increasingly factored into prominence, sometimes even over proven track records.
Notably Missing: Arch Manning

In what might be the most surprising omission, Texas quarterback Arch Manning does not appear on the cover, despite holding the highest overall NIL valuation in college sports. His absence raises questions among fans and analysts—was this a strategic decision based on licensing, or is EA simply prioritizing other cheap CFB 26 Coins narratives for now?