COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — For the first time, an Ohio State Buckeyes player will be on the cover of the top-selling college football video game.

EA Sports revealed the cover for the upcoming “College Football 26” game that will launch on July 10. Because it’s the second year of the game’s latest rebrand after an 11-year-hiatus, EA decided to put two star second-year receivers on the cover: Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Alabama’s Ryan Williams. EA said its first full reveal for the new game will happen Thursday.

Smith is the first Ohio State player to ever feature on the cover of an EA Sports college football video game, dating back to 1994. His landing on the cover with Williams likely means they will be among the two highest rated players in the game.

The cover for the Deluxe Edition of the game also includes head coach Ryan Day and safety Caleb Downs.

The 19-year-old put together the best season ever for a Buckeyes freshman receiver in 2024, collecting 15 receiving touchdowns and amassing 1,315 receiving yards. His one-handed highlight reel catches helped earn him first-team All-American honors and be named the Big Ten’s best receiver and freshman of 2024.

The Miami-native did not stop there as he scored five touchdowns in Ohio State’s four-game run towards the College Football Playoff national title. He earned Rose Bowl MVP honors after catching seven passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns against Oregon on Jan. 1.

Smith enters 2025 with massive expectations and is considered among the top-five favorites by oddsmakers to win the Heisman Trophy next season.

Last year’s “College Football 25” was the first officially licensed college football video game launched by EA since 2013. The game was the first time players were realistically emulated after Name, Image, and Likeness rules prompted the ability to have players in the game. Players who were included were compensated by EA.

Reports said “College Football 25” became the top-selling sports video game by dollar amount with over 2 million people purchasing the deluxe edition to gain early access.