In a significant development for EA Sports College Football 25, substantial changes have been discovered in the game’s recruiting and player development systems.

These modifications particularly affect how three-star recruits and gem players are evaluated, potentially transforming recruitment strategies for players.

Four-star recruits are also affected, however, we will dive deeper into four-stars if you would like. Just let us know in the comments.

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Understanding the New Gem System

The investigation reveals that EA has modified the requirements for players to receive the coveted “gem” designation. According to comprehensive testing using our T4G scouting data, the traditional benchmarks for gem classification have been adjusted, with EA apparently lowering some requirements.

However, this adjustment raises concerns about the overall quality of players receiving the gem designation.

Impact on Three-Star Recruits

Perhaps the most significant revelation concerns three-star recruits. Historical data showed that these players would typically default to normal development traits unless specifically marked as gems.

However, recent testing demonstrates a remarkable shift: approximately 50% of three-star recruits who meet specific rating thresholds now display Impact or higher development traits, even without the gem designation.

Development Traits and Skill Caps Correlation

The research uncovered clear correlations between skill caps and development traits:

• Normal Development: 21-29 skill caps (29 being an outlier)
• Impact Development: 14-22 skill caps
• Star Development: 12-17 skill caps
• Elite Development: Approximately 6 skill caps

Quality Assurance in Recruitment

Testing conducted across multiple player profiles confirmed that gems meeting the original, more stringent requirements consistently showed Impact or higher development traits.

This suggests that while EA may have relaxed their gem classification system, the traditional benchmarks remain reliable indicators of player potential.

Strategic Implications for Dynasty Mode

These changes significantly impact dynasty mode recruitment strategies. The increased likelihood of finding high-potential players among unmarked three-star recruits creates new opportunities for program building.

However, it also emphasizes the importance of thorough scouting beyond surface-level designations.

Looking Forward

As the community continues to explore College Football 25’s mechanics, these discoveries represent crucial information for players aiming to build successful programs.

The changes suggest a more nuanced recruitment system that rewards thorough scouting and player evaluation beyond simple star ratings and gem designations.