In College Football 25, Playing Style is a key aspect of how your team performs on the field and how it is perceived by recruits and opponents. Every player on your team has a specific archetype, and their performance over the season determines your school’s Playing Style grade. This grade is influenced by stats unique to each player archetype, which are tracked and compared to other teams. For example, the Field General quarterback archetype’s grade is determined by passing yards per game, while a Power Back running back’s grade might be driven by rushing yards or touchdowns.
Your Playing Style reflects the identity of your program and directly influences how recruits and transfers perceive your school. If your offense is known for airing it out with tons of passing yards, you’ll naturally attract recruits who thrive in that system, like top quarterbacks and wide receivers. Conversely, a hard-nosed, run-first offense might appeal to powerful running backs and offensive linemen looking to dominate on the ground.
Tracking and improving your Playing Style comes down to aligning your on-field performance with the player archetypes that drive success in your scheme. Throughout the season, stats for these archetypes will determine how high your Playing Style grade is relative to other teams. Schools that can consistently deliver top performances will see their grade rise, attracting even more recruits who fit that style of play.
While Playing Style is a crucial part of your program’s identity, it’s just one of 14 factors that make up your My School Grades in College Football 25. These grades define what your school is good at and what areas might need improvement. From Playing Time and Championship Contender to Pro Potential and Academic Prestige, every school is given a unique set of strengths and weaknesses.
These 14 categories are:
Your Playing Style is critical in recruiting the right players who align with your team’s approach. If you’ve built a reputation for having a high-flying offense or a shutdown defense, recruits who fit those styles will be more likely to choose your program. However, your Playing Style alone isn’t enough. You’ll need to maintain strong grades in other areas like Championship Contender and Pro Potential to attract the best talent.
For instance, if your team ranks high in Playing Style for passing but struggles in Championship Contender, recruits might hesitate to join because they want to compete for titles. Conversely, if your Playing Style aligns with their archetype and your team is a strong contender for championships, you’ll have a powerful pitch.
Your My School Grades evolve dynamically throughout the season based on your actions and performance. For example, how your team performs on the field impacts your Playing Style and Championship Contender grades, while your recruiting efforts can influence Pro Potential and Playing Time. Monitoring these grades in the My School screen allows you to assess your program’s strengths and weaknesses and identify areas that need improvement.
Weekly updates will provide a snapshot of how your grades have been impacted by your performance and decisions. For instance, a decline in Pro Potential might signal that your team isn’t producing enough NFL-caliber players, which could affect your recruiting pipeline. Likewise, a dip in Playing Time could indicate that your roster is too deep at certain positions, causing players to transfer.
In College Football 25, Playing Style is more than just how your team plays on the field—it’s a key factor in defining your program’s identity and success. Combined with the 14 My School Grades, Playing Style plays a crucial role in shaping your recruiting efforts, program management, and overall team performance. By mastering your Playing Style and balancing it with other grades, you can build a powerhouse program that attracts top talent and consistently competes for championships.