How to Upgrade Your Player in College Football 26 (March 2026 Guide)

Updated by Ankit Babal
July 9, 2025
Gaming

If you’re diving into College Football 26’s Road to Glory mode and wondering how to transform your freshman recruit into a Heisman Trophy winner, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve spent countless hours mastering the player upgrade system, and I’m here to share everything you need to know about earning skill points, upgrading stats, and building the perfect college athlete.

Quick Overview: Player Upgrades in College Football 26

Aspect	Key Information
When Can You Upgrade	After signing with a college (Week 6+)
How to Access	Road to Glory Menu → Upgrade Player
Core Ratings	6 main attributes per position
Skill Points Sources	Training, Gameplay, NIL Deals
Deluxe Edition Bonus	50 Skill Points at college start
Max Skill Levels	20 levels (increased from 10)

How to Upgrade Your Player in College Football 26?

Understanding the Upgrade System

The player upgrade system in College Football 26 has been completely overhauled from previous iterations. Unlike College Football 25, where progression felt rushed and unbalanced, the new system offers a more natural and rewarding sense of growth throughout your entire college career. The developers increased the number of skill group levels from 10 to 20, allowing for more gradual development and giving you greater control over how you shape your player.

Here’s what’s new in College Football 26’s upgrade system:

Expanded progression levels (20 instead of 10)
Rebalanced upgrade costs at each level
Three ways to earn skill points (Gameplay, Training, NIL Deals)
No offseason progression – making in-season decisions crucial
Position-specific core ratings that affect multiple stats

When Can You Start Upgrading?

One of the most important things to understand is that you can’t upgrade your player immediately. During your first five weeks in high school, the upgrade option is locked. You’ll need to:

Complete your high school season
Sign with a college program
Access the Road to Glory menu after enrollment
Select “Upgrade Player” from the Actions tab

This timing is crucial because your performance in high school determines your scholarship offers and starting attributes, which directly impact how quickly you can develop once upgrades become available.

The Six Core Ratings System

Every position in College Football 26 has six core ratings that serve as the foundation for your player’s abilities. When you upgrade a core rating, it improves multiple related stats simultaneously. Let me break down how this works for each position:

Quarterback Core Ratings:

Accuracy: Affects Deep Throw, Short Throw, Medium Throw, Throw on the Run, Throw Under Pressure
Power: Improves Throw Power, Jumping, Stiff Arm, Trucking, Strength
IQ: Enhances Awareness, Play Action, Carrying, Ball Carrier Vision
Elusiveness: Boosts Agility, Break Sack, Change of Direction, Juke Move, Break Tackle, Spin Move
Quickness: Increases Speed, Acceleration
Health: Maintains Injury resistance, Stamina, Toughness

Each position has its own unique set of core ratings that align with the skills needed for that role. For example, a Wide Receiver’s core ratings focus more on catching abilities and route running, while a Linebacker emphasizes tackling and coverage skills.

How Skill Point Costs Work

The skill point system uses a dynamic cost structure that increases as you level up each attribute. Here’s what I’ve discovered about the pricing:

Initial upgrades (Levels 1-5): 2-5 skill points per level
Mid-tier upgrades (Levels 6-10): 5-10 skill points per level
High-tier upgrades (Levels 11-15): 10-15 skill points per level
Elite upgrades (Levels 16-20): 15-25 skill points per level

Your archetype also affects upgrade costs. If you’re a Pure Runner QB trying to upgrade Accuracy, it’ll cost significantly more skill points than upgrading your Quickness rating because it’s outside your natural strengths.

How to Get Skill Points in College Football 26?

1. Training Sessions (Most Reliable Method)

Training is your bread and butter for earning skill points, especially if you’re not getting much playing time. Here’s how to maximize your training efficiency:

The Energy System:

You start each week with 7 energy points
Training costs 1 energy point per session
Each training session awards XP toward your next skill point
Training also increases injury risk and reduces health

Training Strategy Tips:

Prioritize 2-3 training sessions per week minimum
Balance training with academics and leadership activities
Monitor your health stat – don’t overtrain
Save some energy for unexpected opportunities

XP Progression: When you train, you’ll see a progression bar that fills up. Once it reaches 100%, you earn one skill point and the bar resets. The amount of XP earned per training session depends on:

Your current overall rating
The quality of your team’s facilities
Your performance in training drills

2. Gameplay Milestones (High Risk, High Reward)

Playing in actual games offers the fastest path to skill points, but only if you’re on the field. Milestones vary by position but typically include:

Quarterback Milestones:

Complete a touchdown pass (Major XP)
Achieve first downs (Minor XP)
Complete consecutive passes (Bonus XP)
Win the game as a starter (Team XP)

Position-Specific Tips:

Running Backs: Focus on breaking tackles and explosive plays
Wide Receivers: Catch everything thrown your way, especially contested catches
Linebackers: Tackles for loss and pass breakups earn premium XP
Cornerbacks: Interceptions and pass deflections are your ticket to quick progression

The key is understanding that your playing time directly correlates with your earning potential. This is why your initial journey choice (Elite, Blue Chip, Contributor, or Underdog) has such a massive impact on your progression speed.

3. NIL Deals (New in College Football 26)

This year’s biggest addition to the skill point economy comes through Name, Image, and Likeness deals. College Football 26 features over 35 new NIL opportunities that can now pay out in skill points rather than just monetary rewards.

NIL Deal Benefits:

No wear and tear on your player
Passive skill point income
Builds your brand value
Unlocks better deals as you progress

How to Maximize NIL Earnings:

Maintain high performance ratings in games
Build your social media presence through in-game choices
Choose deals that align with your schedule
Stack multiple small deals rather than one large deal

Strategic Upgrade Paths by Position

Quarterback Strategy

As a QB, I recommend this upgrade priority:

Accuracy (First Priority) – You can’t win if you can’t complete passes
IQ (Second Priority) – Helps with reading defenses and avoiding sacks
Power OR Quickness (Based on your playstyle)
Health (Maintain throughout)
Elusiveness (Luxury upgrade)

Running Back Strategy

For RBs, focus on:

Elusiveness – Your bread and butter for breaking tackles
Quickness – Speed kills in college football
Power – Essential for goal-line situations
Health – RBs take a beating
Vision – Helps find running lanes
Hands – Don’t neglect the passing game

Wide Receiver Strategy

WR upgrade path:

Hands – Can’t score if you can’t catch
Quickness – Separation is key
Route Running – Creates opportunities
Elusiveness – YAC (Yards After Catch) wins games
Awareness – Helps with contested catches
Health – Durability for deep routes

Journey-Specific Upgrade Strategies

Your starting journey dramatically affects how you should approach upgrades:

Elite (5-Star) Strategy

You’ll start with higher ratings and immediate playing time
Focus on specialization rather than rounding out weaknesses
Invest heavily in your archetype’s primary attributes
Use your 50 Deluxe Edition bonus points to create early separation

Blue Chip (4-Star) Strategy

Balanced approach between specialization and versatility
Expect to compete for starting position by Week 3-4
Invest in attributes that help you win position battles
Save some points for mid-season adjustments

Contributor (3-Star) Strategy

Heavy reliance on training for skill points early
Focus on one or two standout attributes to earn playing time
Be patient – your time will come
Consider positions with less depth on your chosen team

Underdog (2-Star) Strategy

Maximum difficulty but most rewarding journey
Prioritize training efficiency over everything else
Choose a smaller school where you might see the field sooner
Focus entirely on your best attribute until you break into the rotation

Advanced Tips and Tricks

The 50 Skill Point Deluxe Edition Advantage

If you preordered the Deluxe Edition, you’ll receive 50 skill points when you sign with a college. Here’s how to use them wisely:

Don’t spend them all at once – The cost increases as you level up
Focus on 2-3 core ratings – Specialization beats generalization early
Save 10-15 points – For emergency upgrades based on team needs
Consider your depth chart – Upgrade what helps you start fastest

Managing Wear and Tear

College Football 26’s enhanced Wear and Tear system means you can’t just train endlessly:

Monitor your health bar constantly
Skip training if your health drops below 75%
Use recovery weeks strategically
Avoid unnecessary hits in games
Slide or run out of bounds when possible

Position Battle Preparation

When challenging for a starting spot:

Check the depth chart ratings of your competition
Upgrade attributes that directly counter their weaknesses
Save skill points for the week before the battle
Practice the specific drills you’ll face in the challenge
Maintain high Coach Trust through consistent performance

The Transfer Portal Strategy

If you’re not progressing fast enough:

Consider transferring after your freshman year
Look for schools with less depth at your position
Your upgrades carry over to your new school
You might get immediate playing time at a smaller program
Build your ratings then transfer back up

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Spreading points too thin – Focus on core competencies first
Ignoring health – An injured player can’t earn points
Overtraining – Balance is key to longevity
Neglecting academics – Poor grades = no playing time
Chasing every NIL deal – Quality over quantity
Upgrading based on wants, not needs – Be strategic

Planning for the NFL Draft

Your final overall rating determines your draft position. To maximize your draft stock:

Aim for 90+ overall by your junior year
Specialize in attributes NFL scouts value for your position
Win awards (Heisman, All-American, etc.)
Perform in big games – primetime performance matters
Consider staying senior year if you’re below 88 overall

Integration with Madden 26

One of the coolest features is the ability to import your Road to Glory player into Madden 26’s Superstar mode:

Complete your college career (3-4 years)
Declare for the NFL Draft
Save your player data
Import into Madden 26
Continue your professional journey

Your college ratings and development directly impact your Madden starting attributes, making every upgrade decision crucial for your long-term career.

Conclusion

Mastering the upgrade system in College Football 26’s Road to Glory mode is essential for creating a legendary college career. Remember, patience and strategic planning beat random point distribution every time. Whether you’re starting as an Elite prospect or fighting your way up as an Underdog, the key is understanding how each system works together.

Focus on your strengths, manage your energy wisely, and don’t forget that college football is about more than just stats – it’s about creating your own unique story. With these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to hoisting the Heisman Trophy and preparing for a successful NFL career.

Keep grinding, stay healthy, and most importantly, enjoy the journey. Every skill point earned is a step closer to greatness.

For more College Football 26 guides and tips, check out our guide on how to throw the perfect lob pass to maximize your aerial attack!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my skill points if I make a mistake?

No, College Football 26 does not allow skill point resets or respecs. Once you’ve spent a skill point, that decision is permanent. This makes strategic planning essential from the start of your career.

Do skill points carry over if I transfer schools?

Yes! All your upgrades and skill points remain with your player if you enter the transfer portal. This includes any unspent points you’ve been saving.

What’s the maximum overall rating I can achieve?

The theoretical maximum varies by position and archetype, but most players can reach 95-99 overall by their senior year with optimal upgrade paths and consistent performance.

How many skill points can I earn per week?

This varies based on your playing time and training schedule. Starters can earn 3-5 points per week during the season, while bench players might only earn 1-2 through training alone.

Is the 50 skill point bonus pay-to-win?

While the Deluxe Edition bonus provides an early advantage, it’s roughly equivalent to 4-6 weeks of optimal progression. Skilled players can overcome this gap through smart gameplay and training decisions.

Can I upgrade during the offseason?

No, Road to Glory players don’t receive offseason progression. All upgrades must happen during the active season, making time management crucial.

Which position is easiest to upgrade quickly?

Quarterbacks and Running Backs typically see the most playing time early, leading to faster progression. Wide Receivers can also progress quickly if they’re the primary target.

Do different schools affect upgrade speed?

Yes! Schools with better facilities provide bonus XP during training sessions. Playing for a powerhouse program can accelerate your development compared to smaller schools.

Should I save skill points or spend them immediately?

I recommend keeping a small reserve (5-10 points) for emergency upgrades or position battles, but generally spending points as you earn them keeps you competitive.

How does difficulty setting affect skill point earnings?

Higher difficulties provide slightly more XP per completed milestone, but the increased challenge might result in fewer successful plays overall. Find the sweet spot for your skill level.