DAWGS DOMINATE EARLY: Former Georgia Stars Shine in Madden 26 Rookie Ratings, Proving Bulldogs’ Pipeline to NFL Stardom Remains Elite
As the NFL offseason turns its attention toward training camps and preseason preparation, a different kind of buzz took over the football world with the release of the rookie ratings for Madden NFL 26. For fans of the Georgia Bulldogs, it was yet another affirmation of the program’s dominance—not just in the college game, but as a true pipeline to the next level. Two former Georgia stars cracked the top ten of the game’s rookie ratings, drawing widespread attention from both fans and analysts. It wasn’t just a testament to their talent, but to the standard that Kirby Smart and his program continue to set in developing NFL-ready talent at an astonishing rate.
Whether it’s dominating the SEC or flooding the NFL Draft with blue-chip prospects, Georgia has evolved into the preeminent talent factory in college football. The Madden ratings are more than just numbers on a screen—they’re symbolic of how the football world views a player’s potential impact. And with two former Dawgs among the highest-rated rookies in the game, the message was loud and clear: Georgia doesn’t just produce stars—they produce pros.
The two former Georgia players featured in the top ten ratings are none other than edge rusher Mykel Williams and tight end Brock Bowers. Each of them represents a different era of Georgia’s recent rise, but both now stand as living proof of what it means to come through the Georgia system.
Bowers, widely regarded as one of the greatest tight ends in college football history, was selected in the top half of the 2025 NFL Draft and is already turning heads at training camp. Madden 26 gave him an 82 overall rating to start his career—an elite number for a rookie tight end, and the highest in his position group. Known for his exceptional route-running, hands, and rare ability to gain yards after the catch, Bowers’ skill set translated perfectly to the video game realm. And it’s not hard to see why. Over the course of his Georgia career, he racked up historic production, earning All-American honors and playing a key role in Georgia’s national championships in 2021 and 2022.
Madden developers noted Bowers’ versatility as a reason for the high rating. He’s not just a traditional inline tight end—he lines up in the slot, out wide, and even in the backfield. His acceleration and agility ratings are particularly high, making him a matchup nightmare in the game just as he was in the SEC.
Then there’s Mykel Williams, the explosive edge defender who carved out a reputation as one of the most physically dominant and technically polished pass rushers in college football. Selected just a few picks after Bowers, Williams was awarded an 80 overall rating in Madden 26, one of the highest among all defensive rookies. With an elite blend of speed, power, and finesse moves, Williams is expected to make an immediate impact for his NFL team—and now, virtually, for Madden players everywhere.
The Madden developers praised Williams’ burst off the line, block-shedding capabilities, and overall football IQ. His high pursuit and tackle ratings reflect the relentless motor he displayed at Georgia, where he consistently disrupted opposing offenses and proved to be a cornerstone of the Bulldogs’ fearsome defense.
What’s remarkable is how these two high-profile ratings fit into a broader pattern that has defined Georgia football under Kirby Smart: not just sending players to the league, but sending them ready to contribute right away.
Since Smart took over the program in 2016, Georgia has steadily climbed the NFL development ladder. It’s no longer just Alabama or Ohio State that dominate Draft Day. Georgia has joined—if not surpassed—that echelon. Over the last three NFL Drafts, Georgia has produced more first-rounders and top-100 picks than any other program, including multiple defensive players rated as immediate starters.
And it’s not just quantity—it’s quality. Players from Georgia are proving to be some of the most “plug-and-play” rookies in the league, requiring less developmental time and acclimating more quickly to the pro game. Coaches trust them, teammates respect them, and fans embrace them. The Madden ratings are just the digital confirmation of what’s already happening in locker rooms across the league.
Even players who weren’t necessarily five-stars coming out of high school have seen their stock rise dramatically once they enter Georgia’s system. The Bulldogs’ culture of competition, their NFL-style strength and conditioning program, and their commitment to technique and situational mastery have turned good players into great ones, and great ones into superstars.
And for fans of the video game, having former Dawgs with elite ratings means something more than just bragging rights. It means they get to continue the journey with their favorite players in a new setting—one where they can line up Bowers in the red zone or unleash Williams off the edge in crucial moments. It extends the Georgia football experience beyond Saturdays in Athens into living rooms across the country.
Brandon Adams, host of DawgNation Daily, addressed the ratings during his latest show and made a compelling point: this isn’t just about two guys. It’s about a machine that Kirby Smart has built. The success of Bowers and Williams is a reflection of what the entire program has become—a launchpad to greatness.
“When you look at what Georgia’s doing in the NFL right now,” Adams said, “it’s undeniable. These guys aren’t just getting drafted—they’re dominating. And they’re doing it because of what they learned, lived, and experienced in Athens.”
And this pipeline shows no sign of slowing down. The 2025 Georgia team is loaded with future NFL talent—both on offense and defense. Young stars like Malaki Starks, Tate Ratledge, and Smael Mondon are expected to hear their names called early in future drafts, and recruits like Ryan Montgomery and Elyiss Williams are already being touted as high-upside prospects down the road.
The Madden ratings also serve another key function: they impact recruiting. Today’s high school athletes care about their path to the pros. They want to play where they know they’ll be developed, featured, and prepared for the next level. Seeing former Georgia players ranked among the best in the NFL—even in a video game—reinforces that brand.
Recruits notice when Georgia players are the first off the board. They notice when those players sign big contracts, get endorsements, and earn All-Rookie honors. And yes, they notice when they get high Madden ratings. It’s all part of the ecosystem that makes Georgia such an attractive destination.
The Madden reveal also sparked plenty of conversation among current and former Bulldogs, many of whom took to social media to react. Brock Bowers, never one to boast, shared a humble thank-you post while Mykel Williams leaned into the moment, posting clips of himself dominating in practice alongside a caption that read, “Only the beginning.”
Veteran NFL Dawgs like Roquan Smith and Andrew Thomas chimed in, encouraging the rookies and reflecting on how far Georgia’s NFL presence has come. It wasn’t long ago that Georgia sent a handful of players to the league each year. Now, it’s sending waves.
And while the Madden ratings are certainly subjective—every fanbase argues them, and every rookie feels snubbed about something—they serve as a barometer for public and professional expectation. For Bowers and Williams to be rated so highly right out of the gate means the NFL world expects them to perform like seasoned veterans.
That’s a tribute not just to their personal work ethic and talent, but to the program that molded them. Georgia isn’t just producing draft picks. It’s producing polished, professional, and prepared athletes who are ready to compete and contribute at the next level.
As Madden 26 hits shelves and fans across the nation dive into Franchise Mode or Ultimate Team, Georgia supporters will do so with pride—and with an eye on the future. Because if the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that for every Bowers or Williams graduating to Sunday stardom, there’s another Georgia Bulldog in Athens, sharpening his game, preparing to be next.
And when that next Madden rookie class drops? Don’t be surprised when the top ten once again features red and black.
Because the Dawgs don’t just bark. They dominate—on Saturdays, on Sundays, and yes, even in the virtual world of Madden.
