College Football 26 continues to deliver chaos, creativity, and clutch moments every weekend-and today’s feature might just be the wildest one yet. We’re diving into the latest gameplay test featuring the new Calvin Johnson card CFB 26 Coins, a 6’5 monster that’s shaking up the current offensive meta. Whether you’re chasing wins in ranked or experimenting with new schemes, this breakdown offers a full look into what makes this version of Calvin so special-and what’s going terribly wrong in ranked right now.
The New Calvin Johnson: Worth the Price Tag?
Let’s start with the headliner-Calvin “Megatron” Johnson. His limited-time ultimate card is still hovering around the 3–4 million coin range, and while that version is undoubtedly elite, it’s a luxury only a handful of players can realistically afford. That’s why the lower overall variant is such a big deal. It’s more obtainable for the average player but still delivers elite production.
At 6’5 with 93 speed and balanced route running (85 in short, medium, and deep categories), this Calvin can absolutely torch man coverage. Even against high-end corners, his frame alone gives him consistent one-on-one wins-especially on slants, crossers, and deep posts. You’ll see that in the gameplay footage where single coverage simply doesn’t stand a chance.
While his route running isn’t elite-tier like the LTD, the combination of size, speed, and animations makes this card a nightmare in isolation. He’s especially lethal on end routes and deep digs, forcing defensive users to commit extra help. Once that happens, the rest of the field opens wide.
Verdict: For his cost, this Calvin is easily one of the most dangerous receivers in CFB 26. You don’t need the LTD version to dominate-this lower one more than gets the job done.
Shamar Easter-The Takeoff Tight End Steals the Show
Another underrated pickup that completely changed the offense was Shamar Easter, the silver Takeoff tight end. On paper, his stats might not pop-90 speed, solid route running, and a 6’5, 223-pound frame-but on the field, he feels like a hybrid wide receiver. He’s essentially a receiver in a tight end body, and that’s perfect for modern offensive setups like TripsX Nasty.
His presence stretches defenses horizontally, forcing linebackers to cover zones they’re not built for. Paired with Calvin on the outside, Easter becomes a matchup nightmare-too fast for linebackers, too big for safeties.
It’s clear from the gameplay that Easter unlocks entirely new ways to attack coverage, especially when paired with Play Action Boot concepts or quick seams.
New Offensive Identity-Northern Illinois Playbook and the TripsX Nasty Meta
One of the biggest changes this week came from switching to the Northern Illinois offensive playbook. While Bowling Green has long been the go-to for its balanced power and spread options, it lacks strong play-action concepts-something this new offense absolutely thrives on.
The TripsX Nasty formation has become a personal favorite, offering:
Versatile passing angles with crossers, whip routes, and quick seams.
Excellent protection against blitz-heavy defenses when paired with motion blocks.
Perfect synergy with “Takeoff” archetype players like Easter.
When combined with the bronze Takeoff ability on Calvin and Easter, it gives the offense burst and separation that’s tough to replicate anywhere else.
From the stream gameplay, it’s clear this new scheme helps maintain a clean pocket longer-but even then, disengages are still haunting players in ranked.
The Defense Setup-From Miami 3-3 Cup to Pitt 3-3 Stack
Defensively, there was some experimentation too. The Miami 3-3 Cup had been a reliable setup for months, but the Pitt defense offers a little more stability against spread and play-action-heavy attacks. With the current online meta shifting toward quick RPOs and deep seams, having extra coverage flexibility matters more than ever.
However, no defense can survive the current disengage epidemic without strong user play. The gameplay showed multiple instances where offensive linemen simply dropped their blocks mid-play, letting defensive linemen teleport into the pocket. It’s not about players losing one-on-one matchups-it’s about animations breaking entirely.
Which brings us to the biggest problem in ranked right now…The Disengage Epidemic-Something Changed Behind the Scenes
If you’ve played ranked recently, you’ve probably noticed it too-defensive linemen are disengaging like crazy. It’s not a typical “shed” or pass-rush move; it’s a full animation cancel where linemen instantly reset and crash the QB.
As the gameplay commentary notes, this didn’t exist just a few days ago. The timing of its appearance strongly hints at a stealth patch or a background tuning adjustment from EA. Five days ago, the offensive line felt balanced. Now? You’re lucky to get two seconds in the pocket without running a play-action.
And that’s exactly the workaround: Play Action.
Running plays like PA Boot Over, PA Flood Shot, or PA Slot Cross resets blocking logic and prevents linemen from disengaging mid-rep. In the current meta, that’s not just a preference-it’s a necessity.
Without it, you’ll be spending every drive fighting off instant pressure, no matter how good your offensive line is.
The Kick Block Epidemic-Ranked’s Most Infuriating Bug
As if the disengages weren’t bad enough, there’s another issue plaguing ranked play: kick blocks.
It’s becoming so common that it’s legitimately affecting win rates. Imagine this-you don’t get stopped on offense once, but you’re down three possessions at halftime because your extra points and field goals were blocked. That’s not hypothetical; that’s exactly what happened here.
Players have started calling it the “kick block epidemic,” and they’re not wrong. Whether it’s a timing bug or glitched blocking assignment, special teams are officially broken right now.
Until it’s fixed, it might be worth going for two after touchdowns, especially if you’re running balanced formations like Trips or Bunch that can create man-beating two-point conversions.
Gameplay Highlights-Calvin’s Dominance and Gunner Stockton’s Pocket Magic
Despite all the chaos, there were some absolute highlight plays in this game.
Calvin Johnson repeatedly burned man coverage, securing multiple touchdowns and deep in routes. His end route consistency and ability to body defenders on jump balls make him one of the most reliable receivers in the game right now.
Gunner Stockton continues to impress at QB. His pocket presence in the Northern Illinois offense is noticeably smoother than in Bun Strong, offering more controlled footwork and timing windows.
Shamar Easter consistently converted clutch third downs, showing why Takeoff tight ends might quietly become a new offensive meta.
The offense feels fast, explosive, and adaptable-everything you want in ranked.
Meta Takeaways and the Road Ahead
Here’s what this game taught us about the state of College Football 26:
1.Play Action is the new lifeline. Without it, disengages will eat you alive. Every offense needs at least one reliable play-action base play.
2.Kick blocks need fixing-fast. Ranked results shouldn’t hinge on broken blocking logic. Until EA addresses it, treat PATs as optional.
3.Calvin Johnson is a must-have weapon. Even the lower overall version changes how defenses play you. His combination of frame, catch radius, and speed is unmatched.
4.Shamar Easter is quietly meta-breaking. As more players experiment with Takeoff tight ends, expect to see him all over competitive leaderboards.
5.The meta is shifting toward hybrid spread schemes. TripsX Nasty and Northern Illinois-style setups are redefining how players create spacing and protection.
Final Thoughts
The CFB 26 Calvin Johnson gameplay revealed both the best and worst of the current meta. On one hand, we have an evolving offensive identity built around creativity, hybrid formations, and incredible player models like Calvin and Easter. On the other, we’re dealing with frustrating mechanical issues-from disengages to blocked kicks-that desperately need attention.
Still, watching Calvin go full Megatron and shred coverage was a reminder of why this game remains so addictive. When everything clicks-the reads, the spacing, the animations-it’s peak football.
If you’re looking to try this setup yourself, grab Calvin Johnson’s mid-tier version, pair him with Shamar Easter in TripsX Nasty NCAA 26 Coins, and make Play Action your best friend. You’ll thank yourself later.
