What Are Playing Style Dealbreakers?

Playing Style Dealbreakers are hidden preferences that influence how a recruit-or even a player already on CFB 26 Coins your roster-feels about your program based on how your team plays on the field. Each player has a preferred style based on their position. If your team doesn't meet those expectations, the recruit may flat-out reject you, or your player might hit the transfer portal.

Let's say you're targeting a five-star wide receiver. You're nailing the campus visits, have great facilities, and are offering NIL deals and ready to buy College Football 26 Coins to buy him-but if your offense doesn't throw the ball much and your "Receptions" grade is low, the recruit will see that your playstyle doesn't fit his preferences. The result? He crosses you off his list-no amount of incentives will fix it.

And it doesn't just stop at recruiting. Dealbreakers affect player retention. If a QB joins your team expecting 300+ passing yards per game, and instead you're running the ball 40 times per game, you can expect that QB to start looking for another team next season.

How Do Playing Style Grades Work?

This is where things get murky and frustrating for many players. The grade your team receives for a playstyle (such as Passing Yards, Sacks, Rushing Attempts, etc.) is position-specific and comparative.

In simpler terms:

If a recruit wants a high "Receptions" grade, they're only looking at how your WRs perform in that category.
If your RBs or TEs are catching most of your passes, that hurts your grade, even if your total passing stats are excellent.
The system compares your positional stats to other programs across the NCAA.

This leads to a few problems:

Unrealistic benchmarks: To get an A+ in Passing Yards, you may need to throw for over 375+ yards per game.
Bias against balanced offenses: If you spread the ball around or emphasize the run game, your style grades suffer.
Simulated game penalties: Sim games often have reduced play counts and stats, which tank your grades.
Bye weeks drop grades: You don't play, so NCAA Football 26 Coins for sale your numbers stagnate while others move up.