For years, Call of Duty has been one of the most exciting and popular esports franchises. The best Call of Duty Players are some of the overall greatest FPS players out there. This is the series that made the genre what it is, and it’s best performing competitors are always pushing the game to new heights.
Today, we’re answering an all-important question. Who are the best Call of Duty players of all time? – Looking through history, there’s been tons of standout names in this series. Befitting its decades long run.
It has been a long time since Call of Duty esports really hit the heights of competitive gaming. By today, it’s a multi-million-dollar ecosystem, boasting a top-flight league that features some of the world’s most valuable gaming organizations. It’s a franchise that undergoes constant evolution, and each year, players find themselves competing on an entirely different platform.
Call of Duty: Best COD Players of All Time
When it comes to the top COD players, some of the names on this list are quite simply iconic. They’ve been instrumental in increasing the popularity of Call of Duty esports, and they’re instantly recognisable among the thousands of competitors in the space. By the time you’ve finished this breakdown, you’ll know which of them are the best Call of Duty players in the world, and, more importantly, you’ll know what makes them worthy of the title.
If you’re a fan of Call of Duty and want to learn about the history of some of its finest competitors and potentially pick up some Call of Duty League betting tips, look no further than this list.
Who is the Best Call of Duty Player Ever?
When looking at the history of competitive Call of Duty, picking out the best player involves looking at both esports earnings and in addition, the number of coveted CDL Championship rings.
Firstly, let’s look at the top 10 Call of Duty players of all time based on esports earnings:
| Rank | Alias | Player Name | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 #1 | aBeZy | Tyler Pharris | $1,832,095 |
| 🥈 #2 | Simp | Christopher Lehr | $1,755,444 |
| 🏅 #3 | Cellium | McArthur Jovel | $1,637,483 |
| 🥉 #4 | Arcitys | Alec Sanderson | $1,408,515 |
| 🏅 #5 | Crimsix | Ian Porter | $1,314,547 |
| 🏅 #6 | Kenny | Kenneth Williams | $1,204,607 |
| 🏅 #7 | Clayster | James Eubanks | $1,155,308 |
| 🏅 #8 | Shotzzy | Anthony Cuevas-Castro | $1,149,808 |
| 🏅 #9 | Scump | Seth Abner | $1,006,073 |
| 🏅 #10 | Envoy | Dylan Hannon | $1,004,922 |
Below we talk in detail about each of the players on this list to help provide insight for your CoD betting.
10. Dylan “Envoy” Hannon
A relatively new player on the scene, Dylan “Envoy” Hannon burst onto the scene with Black Ops 4 on a curious Gen.G roster. After a promising opening season, this rookie was drawn up by OpTic to finish 3rd at his first-ever CoD Championship.
Follow a rough year on OpTic LA, “Envoy” moved over to LA Thieves where he earned his incredible World Championship victory as one of the best submachine gun players in the world. Recently winning a few chips with Toronto Ultra, he has consistently competed at the highest level of the Call of Duty League. Now playing once again for LA Thieves, his career prospects look brighter.
- Esports Earnings: $1,004,922
- Top Achievement: 1st @ CDL 2022 Playoffs
9. Seth ‘Scump’ Abner – Retired
Scump truly needs no introduction – after 31 major tournament wins, including one CDL Championship, he is respected as the most popular and arguably the most skilled CoD player out there. Nobody ran a submachine gun like Scump did. Even as a streamer, he’s known as one of the best players out there.
Retiring in 2023 to pursue content, he also became a Call of Duty: Warzone World Champion and is one of the top Call of Duty streamers on Twitch. His success in the League prove he’s more than just strong as a content creator though. Scump has the chops to compete with the best esports players.
- Esports Earnings: $1,004,922
- Top Achievement: 1st @ CDL 2017 Championship
8. Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro
Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro forms part of an elite group of gamers having won multiple World Championships in two different esports – Halo and Call of Duty.
Indeed, at just 23 years old, this veteran already has two world championships under his belt, back in 2020 with Dallas Empire and most recently in 2024 with OpTic Gaming. Known for his god-tier movement and gunskill, this player owns some of the best mechanical skill in the Call of Duty League. It’s very likely that he will bag another World Championship in the years to come.
- Esports Earnings: $1,149,808
- Top Achievement: 1st @ CDL 2024 & 2020 Playoffs
7. James ‘Clayster’ Eubanks – Retired
Clayster is one of the most decorated players in the history of the franchise, and he has been competing at a professional level since 2007.
As one of the top in-game leaders out there and the oldest player to play Call of Duty, he’s an industry icon. Moreover, he’s one of the only three-time CDL Championship Winners in the entire scene. His earnings might not be at the very top, but this free time win might put him as the best Call of Duty player to have ever graced the league.
Regardless of the team he’s on, he’s always passionate. After failing to land a team last season, he’s finally retired.
- Esports Earnings: $1,155,308
- Top Achievement: 1st @ CDL Championship x3 (2015, 2019, 2020)
6. Kenneth “Kenny” Williams
Kenny is a player currently with OpTic Texas, but across the Call of Duty league he’s had a strong list of results Competing since 2015, his achievements have just gotten better and better over the years.
He moved from Team JusTus, to 100 Thieves, OpTic, LA, before ending up at OpTic Texas. In these last two teams, he’s made a big impact on the game, winning the CDL 2022 Playoffs and recently, the CDL 2024 Playoffs. Out of nowhere, this calm and collected veteran has become one of the best Call of Duty players of all time.
- Esports Earnings: $1,204,607
- Top Achievement: 1st @ CDL 2022 & 2024 Championship
5. Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter – Retired
Toward the end of 2022, Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter announced his retirement from Call of Duty esports, and an entire community fell to their knees. When it comes to the best Call of Duty players of all time, there’s no doubt that Crimsix is among the very best.
He’s secured more chips than any other player in the business, boasting 37 major victories and three world championship rings by the time he’d retired. It’s always a shame to see this kind of talent go, but Crimsix went out on top.
While there’s a lot we could say about this retired veteran, here’s a short summary of his achievements:
- Esports Earnings: $1,314,547
- Top Achievement: 1st @ CDL Championship x3 (2014, 2017 and 2020)
4. Alec ‘Arcitys’ Sanderson
Arcitys’ journey began quite late but gave way to a rapid rise to success. Within a few short years, Arcitys had secured two massive world championship victories, earning more than $1 million and becoming known as one of the best COD players of all time.
His career started back in 2015, but it wasn’t until 2019 that Arcitys found his feet and started gaining momentum. Alongside veterans such as Simp and aBezy, he’s managed to earn two World Championships already.
Since then though, he’s only competed outside the league in Challengers, winning the Challengers Finals in 2024.
- Esports Earnings: $1,408,515
- Top Achievement: 1st @ CDL Championship x2 (2019, 2021)
3. McArthur ‘Cellium’ Jovel
Cellium is one of the younger players on this list, but he’s by no means the weakest. Since entering the Call of Duty League in 2020, Cellium has represented Atlanta FaZe, being widely regarded as one of the best players on the squad.
He’s an unbelievably talented player with a bright future ahead, and in many ways, he’s only just getting started. Even as recently as this year he’s dominating the game, winning the Stage 2 Major for the Call of Duty League.
As a repeated Regular Season MVP, Cellium is the most efficient slayer in the server almost every time. Currently with FaZe, he’ll only rise up this list as he continues to win more tournaments. There might even be more Championships in the future too.
- Esports Earnings: $1,637,483
- Top Achievement: 1st @ CDL 2021 Championship
2. Chris “Simp” Lehr
In 2018, you’d have been forgiven for not knowing the name ‘Simp’. However, just one year later, the name would be whispered among the halls of the best COD players of all time.
Chris ‘Simp’ Lehr had one of the most remarkable and legendary glow-ups in competitive gaming, becoming a world champion within a single year of entering the industry.
Since his start, he has absolutely destroyed the competition. He earnt comparisons to other players like Scump, but year after year he’s risen higher and higher. Becoming one of the best known and top Call of Duty players active. With a tonne of wins so far, he’s already won two World Championships in both 2019 and 2021 as well as taking recent Majors in the 2024 League.
- Esports Earnings:$1,755,444
- Top Achievement: 1st @ CDL Championship x2 (2019, 2021)
1. Tyler “aBeZy” Pharris
With aBeZy in the number 1 slot, we’re looking at yet another Atlanta FaZe player. Plus, another with multiple championships under his belt. There’s no doubt that he has been instrumental in the squad’s stunning performance in the Call of Duty League.
He has been flying the FaZe banner since 2019, and at present, he boasts two championship rings. FaZe are back on the rise this year winning Majors two and he could go on to make it three Championships before he’s done with the game. With earnings over $1.8 million, he’s undoubtedly the most successful Call of Duty League player in 2024.
He’s a phenomenal player with many years of growth ahead of him, and by 2023, he’s staked a claim to no fewer than nine chips. Right now, he is one of the most feared competitors in the Call of Duty League.
- Esports Earnings: $1,832,095
- Top Achievement: 1st @ CDL Championship x2 (2019, 2021)
Which CoD Players Have the Most Rings?
Esports earnings aren’t the best way to measure success considering that no tournament is more important than CoD Championship everywhere, where players earn rings.
Here’s a table showing off which players have cemented themselves in history at this prestigious tournament:
| Number of Rings | CoD Players |
|---|---|
| Three | Crimsix, Clayster, Karma |
| Two | aBeZy, ACHES, Apathy, Arcitys, JKAP, Simp, Kenny, Shotzzy |
| One | Assault, Attach, Cellium, Crowder, Dashy, Drazah, Envoy, FormaL, Huke, HyDra, iLLeY, John, KiLLa, KiSMET, MiRx, Octane, Parasite, Pred, Prestinni, Priestahh, Scump, SiLLY, Skyz, SlasheR, Teepee |
Nobody can be a top CoD player without first winning an iteration of the CDL Championship. Anybody with two rings or more is automatically part of the debate of the best CoD players.
Notably, a player like Damon “Karma” Barlow is without a doubt one of the all-time greats together with Patrick “ACHES” Price. However, considering they’ve retired for some time and earnings are outside of the Top 10, we’re focusing on active players.
Depending on how much earnings or placements are prioritized, one can create several rankings.
FAQ
Who is the Greatest Call of Duty Player?
If we’re going purely by earnings, then aBeZy is clearly the best call of Duty player with a staggering total winnings over $1.8 million.
There are tons of ways to judge performance though. Others like Crimsix top other’s picks purely from winning three different World Championships, and two MVPs. In consistency and earnings, aBeZy might have him beat though.
Who is Ranked Number 1 in CoD?
For earnings, aBeZy is ranked number 1 in CoD. However, Crimsix, Clayster, and Karma are all tied for ranking in wins.
Who is the Most Popular Call of Duty Player?
CoD players all have quite a few fans, but how do we measure who the most popular is? The most popular streamer in the game is Scump.
If you’d like a change of pace, consider checking out our breakdown of the best Call of Duty Mobile players. Recently, Call of Duty Mobile has had a massive glow-up, and it’s now a valid and popular esports platform that welcomes millions of players.
