Recruiting and scouting in College Football 25 can be intricate, especially when it comes to understanding gems—those green, red, and no gem icons that appear during the scouting process. If you've ever wondered what these gems signify, this guide breaks it all down for you.

What Are Gems?

Gems in College Football 25 are tied to a player's development trait—an indicator of how quickly they progress and improve. There are four development traits in the game:

Normal:

The most common development trait.

Players with this trait progress at a standard rate.

They steadily grow over their careers without much flair.

Impact:

These players can make a significant difference to your team.

They progress faster than Normal players and have a higher potential.

Star:

Rare players with the potential to become professionals.

They demonstrate exceptional learning and progression early on.

Elite:

The crème de la crème.

These players make an immediate impact and have the potential to become legendary.

You won't see these traits until Signing Day unless you've unlocked the Mind Reader ability in the Strategist coaching tree.

These development traits determine how quickly players earn XP, which translates into CFB 25 coins for upgrading ratings and abilities. While you can't control how cheap College Football 25 coins are spent, you can influence XP gains through performance and coaching.

Do Gems Guarantee Development Traits?

Green Gems

Green gems indicate higher probabilities of better development traits (Impact, Star, or Elite).

However, they don't guarantee a top-tier trait. A green gem player could still end up with a Normal or Impact development trait, though Star or Elite is more likely.

Red Gems

Red gems signal a higher chance of lower development traits.

While not necessarily a "bust," red gem players typically progress slower, making it harder to justify spending recruitment resources on them, especially for high-end programs.

No Gems

If a player has no gem icon, their development trait falls somewhere in the middle. They could surprise you, but there's less insight into their potential without scouting.

How Gems Impact Progression

Ratings and Abilities:

Players earn XP that converts into coins, which are then spent on ratings and abilities.

A player's development trait affects the rate at which they gain XP.

Players may prioritize ability upgrades over ratings, so progression isn't always reflected in overall stats but rather in-field performance improvements.

Recruiting Strategy:

Top-tier schools:

Focus on four- and five-star recruits, even if they have red gems.

Avoid lower-star players with red gems—they likely won't meet your program's needs.

Lower-tier schools:

Prioritize star ratings over gems, as scouting resources are limited.

Even red-gem players can help build a foundation if they have decent star ratings.

Final Thoughts

Gems provide a glimpse into a player's potential but don't tell the whole story. Over time, as you refine your recruiting strategy and unlock more scouting hours, you'll better understand how to weigh gems against other factors like star ratings and team needs.

Whether you're aiming to develop three-star players into solid contributors or chasing Elite development traits, remember that the most successful programs adapt to their circumstances and make the most of every recruit.

Good luck building your dynasty in College Football 25!