EA Sports College Football 26 is finally here for CUT 26 Coins early access users,and fans of the franchise have much to be excited about. From revamped features to deeper gameplay mechanics,this latest edition promises a true step forward,especially in the beloved Road to Glory mode.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about becoming a five-star recruit during your high school career in Road to Glory,setting you up for success on the path to college stardom. While we'll focus on the high school journey here,there's a separate guide dedicated to your college years,including how to win the Heisman and become the No. 1 NFL Draft pick.

Step 1: Creating Your Road to Glory Player

Your journey starts with character creation,where you'll decide how your high school career begins. There are four starting profiles to choose from:

Elite (Five-Star Athlete)

Blue Chip (Four-Star Athlete)

Contributor (Three-Star Athlete)

Underdog (Two-Star Athlete)

Choosing Elite or Blue Chip gives you a head start—these profiles make it easier to earn offers from top-tier colleges right away. Starting as a Contributor or Underdog offers a more challenging route,likely involving smaller schools or riding the bench at a bigger program.
Choose Your Position and Archetype

Players can pick from five key positions:

Quarterback (QB)

Halfback (HB)

Wide Receiver (WR)

MIKE Linebacker (MLB)

Cornerback (CB)

Each position comes with multiple archetypes. For quarterbacks,the options include:

Pocket Passer – Strong in power and accuracy

Dual Threat – Balanced with power and speed

Backfield Creator – High elusiveness and mobility

Pure Runner – Speed and quickness-focused

Each archetype offers unique Physical Abilities. For instance,a Backfield Creator QB might have:

Off Platform – Boosts cross-body accuracy

Mobile Deadeye – Enhanced accuracy while running

Pull Down – Improves ball security in the pocket

On Time – Increases accuracy when throwing with anticipation

Customize Your Player

EA Sports lets you get deep with customization across four categories:

Player Info – Name,number,hometown,high school,etc.

Appearance – Face,physique,hair,and more

Gear – From helmets to cleats

Styles – Choose throwing styles,stances,and animations based on position

Once you've fine-tuned your player,you'll be ready to start your high school career.

Step 2: Navigating the High School Season

Once you enter Road to Glory's high school phase,you'll start getting weekly updates on your recruiting status. These updates track your national,state,and position rankings,showing your progress toward becoming a five-star recruit via a clear bar system.
Interviews and Recruiting Preferences

You'll be interviewed by a local reporter,Alice Zimmer,who will ask questions about your preferences for college. Your answers—such as what matters most in a school or what you're looking for in a coach—help shape the recruiting path and influence which programs target you.

Choose Your Top 10 Schools

Early in the season,your high school coach will ask you to select your top 10 schools. Don't worry—this list can change as you progress. Schools offer varying levels of interest based on your performance,and you can commit or decommit at any time during the season.

When selecting schools,pay attention to key factors:

Assessed Tape Score – Points you must earn in games to attract offers

Projected Role – Starter,backup,or bench warmer

Coach Prestige – Rated from F to A+

NIL Potential – Low to high potential endorsement earnings

Offensive Scheme – How run-heavy or pass-heavy the team is

Aggressiveness – Offensive playstyle tendencies

You'll be able to monitor team performance throughout the season. For example,if a top program struggles,they may be more likely to offer you a starting job. Winning teams may be tougher to crack into,but they come with more prestige and NIL appeal.

Step 3: Game Performance and Drive Moments

Unlike traditional full-game play,Road to Glory lets you focus on "Drive Moments." Before each game,you'll select four key moments to play. Each moment includes two specific goals that earn Tape Score Points,directly impacting your recruiting status.
Boosting Your Performance

Each moment has a School Tape Score Boost—a multiplier based on the schools that favor certain play styles. For example:

A QB selecting "Option Merchant" may earn:

200 points for gaining 10+ yards on an option play

50 points for avoiding turnovers or negative plays

Schools like Oregon or Texas might apply a 3x boost to these plays,while others like USC offer lower multipliers.
The key to maintaining five-star status is consistently completing Drive Moments at 100%. If you fail for a moment,your star rating could drop,putting scholarship offers from cheap College Football 26 Coins major programs at risk. Thankfully,the game offers instant retry opportunities if you miss your goals.