College Football 25 Gameplay Guide: How to Use Shifty
What is "Shifty" in College Football 25?
"Shifty" is one of the core running styles in College Football 25, part of EA's new BOOM Tech movement system. This style represents elusive runners who prioritize quick cuts, agility, and jukes over raw power or straight-line speed. Shifty ball carriers are often smaller backs or agile slot receivers capable of making defenders miss in tight spaces.
Key Traits of Shifty Players:
High Agility and Change of Direction ratings
Quick first step (great Acceleration)
Effective with juke moves, spin moves, and hesitation cuts
Lower Break Tackle and Truck ratings compared to Power backs
How Shifty Differs from Other Archetypes
College Football 25 features multiple ball carrier styles: Shifty, Power, and Balanced. Understanding how Shifty stacks up is key to building your offense.
Style Strengths Weaknesses
Shifty Quick cuts, jukes, evasiveness Weak in traffic, easier to tackle
Power Trucking, break tackles, stiff arms Slower change of direction
Balanced All-around ability No extreme strength or agility
The Shifty archetype excels in open-field situations and outside runs, making it ideal for schemes that prioritize space and mismatch creation.
Top Moves to Master as a Shifty Ball Carrier
To fully use a Shifty runner, you need to get comfortable with several advanced techniques in the BOOM Tech arsenal:
1. Juke Move (Right Stick Left/Right)
Quick sidestep to avoid tackles
Best used in one-on-one situations
Time it just as the defender commits
2. Spin Move (Right Stick Down then Left/Right)
Slightly slower than a juke but more deceptive
Great for dodging diving tackles or congested lines
3. Hesitation Cut / Stutter Step
Tap the left trigger to fake out a defender
Sets up jukes or spins by freezing the defender
Effective on screen plays or delayed runs
4. Dead Leg (Right Stick Down)
A subtle move to shift weight and slip under tackles
Highly effective in tight spaces
5. One-Cut (Left Stick + Acceleration)
Plant and go technique; sharp directional change
Useful when finding daylight on zone runs
When to Use Shifty Players
Shifty runners thrive in wide zone, toss, and option plays. They perform best when they can isolate defenders in space. Consider using them in:
Outside zone and stretch runs
Jet sweeps and end-arounds
Bubble screens or quick outs
Read option and RPO concepts
They are less effective in goal-line or between-the-tackles situations unless your line can create big gaps.
Recommended Offensive Schemes
To get the most from a Shifty player, align your playcalling with open-space philosophies. Ideal schemes include:
1. Spread Option
Opens the field horizontally
Incorporates read-option and RPO mechanics
2. West Coast Offense
Short passes and YAC opportunities
Emphasizes quick decision-making
3. Air Raid with Zone Runs
Light boxes and wide sets give room to operate
Use motion and stack formations to force mismatches and confuse defenders.
Best Situational Usage
Situation Best Strategy
1st & 10 Outside zone or misdirection run
2nd & Long Screen pass or draw play
Red Zone Jet sweep, angle route, or motion misdirect
3rd & Short Avoid power plays; try option or swing pass
When in doubt, give your Shifty back room to operate. They’re not meant to buy College Football 25 Coins bulldoze—they’re designed to disappear in space.
Tips to Maximize Shifty Effectiveness
Use Motion Pre-Snap: Moving your back or slot receiver can expose man coverage and open up cutback lanes.
Control Speed with Precision: Don’t sprint immediately. Let plays develop, then accelerate with purpose.
Practice Stick Skills: Use training mode to refine your juke and spin timing. The right-stick mechanics reward precision.
Create Matchups: Use formations that get your Shifty player matched up on linebackers or safeties.
Don't Force It Inside: If a hole isn’t there, bounce it out. Shifty players are built to win the edge.
Top Shifty Players in College Football 25 (Launch Roster)
Note: Ratings subject to change with updates.
TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
Will Shipley (Clemson)
Donovan Edwards (Michigan)
MarShawn Lloyd (USC)
Deuce Vaughn (Kansas State - historical)
These players offer elite change-of-direction and can elevate any playbook built around agility.
Defensive Counter Tips
When facing a Shifty ball carrier:
Use contain assignments on the edge
Assign spy defenders with high agility
Keep tackle-cone awareness high to avoid whiffs
Focus on gang tackles and block shedding
Don't overcommit—that’s exactly what they want.
Final Thoughts
The "Shifty" archetype in College Football 25 isn't just a style—it's a philosophy. Success with Shifty runners depends on your ability to manipulate space, master movement timing, and recognize defensive overplays. While they may lack brute strength, in the right hands, Shifty players can turn routine plays into game-breaking moments.
Whether you're a veteran of NCAA Football or new to the series, learning how to use Shifty effectively is a must-have skill in your offensive arsenal. Practice your stick moves, design plays to exploit mismatches, and watch your backfield become a nightmare for defenders.