In College Football 25, Playing Time is a critical factor that impacts both recruiting and roster management. Players want to know how long it will take them to become a starter at their position, and this individualized assessment is key to keeping recruits and current players happy. As part of the My School Grades system, Playing Time is just one of the many factors that determine the overall strength of your program, which can influence recruiting success and player retention.
In College Football 25, every recruit has a unique expectation about how soon they will get to see the field. Playing Time reflects the player’s likelihood of earning a starting spot, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all measure. The time it takes to start is based on the player’s Overall Rating (OVR) and the depth at their position group on your team.
For example, if you are recruiting a 5-star quarterback and already have an experienced starter with a high OVR on your roster, the recruit may see a longer path to becoming the starter, impacting their interest in your program. Conversely, if your roster lacks depth at their position, you can pitch immediate playing time to attract top talent.
Managing Playing Time expectations is also crucial for keeping your current roster satisfied. Even players who are starting today could see their grade negatively affected if you bring in higher-rated recruits at their position, which could lead them to enter the transfer portal.
The My School Grades system in College Football 25 is designed to give a comprehensive view of your program’s strengths and weaknesses. Every school is graded on a scale from D- to A+ across 14 categories, which dynamically change based on team performance, recruiting, and other actions taken over the course of a season. These grades provide a detailed breakdown of how your program stacks up in key areas and are critical to how recruits and players perceive your school.
Most grades are fluid and will change throughout the season based on your performance. For instance, Championship Contender will shift based on your Top 25 ranking, team prestige, and the quality of your roster. Brand Exposure evolves based on how often your team plays in primetime games and the NIL opportunities your players can access.
Grades like Academic Prestige and Campus Lifestyle are fixed and won’t change over time, but many others will reflect both your short-term performance and long-term success. Keeping tabs on your school’s grades is essential because they can influence recruits’ decisions and impact whether players on your roster consider entering the transfer portal.
Your My School Grades collectively form your Team Prestige, which is essentially your program’s GPA, graded from 0 to 5 stars. A high Team Prestige will attract top talent and keep your roster satisfied, while a slide in grades could trigger decommitments or transfers. Team Prestige is calculated based on how well your school performs in each of the 14 categories, and few programs will ever reach elite 5-star status.
To improve grades like Playing Time or Pro Potential, you’ll need to actively manage your roster and recruiting efforts. You can view your grades and track their progression in the My School screen within the Recruiting Hub, which also highlights the steps needed to improve each grade. You’ll even get weekly reports showing how your actions, such as signing recruits or winning key games, have positively or negatively impacted your grades.
The Playing Time and My School Grades systems in College Football 25 offer a deep level of strategic complexity, providing more than just on-field performance management. From controlling playing time expectations to monitoring your school’s brand exposure and coach prestige, these grades directly influence your recruiting success and overall program health. Mastering these systems is crucial for building and maintaining a powerhouse program in the world of college football.