More than 10,000 college football players have already opted in to EA Sports College Football 25, launching this summer, but fans will have to wait at least one more year for Texas quarterback Arch Manning to lead their teams. in the new video game.
Manning, a second-year backup for the Longhorns and nephew of former NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli, is among the players who opted not to be included in the video game, a source confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.
Manning, who attempted just five passes in a game as Quinn Ewers' backup in 2023, wanted to wait until “he was the guy” in Texas, the source said.
Manning was the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2022 ESPN 300 after a standout career at the Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, where his father, Cooper, and famous uncles played. He will likely be back on the bench this season after Ewers decided to return after leading the Longhorns to a Big 12 title and his first College Football Playoff appearance in 2023.
Manning has been reluctant to do NIL deals, even though there is also a strong market for his name, image and likeness. His only NIL deal last year was an exclusive trading card partnership with Panini America that included a charity auction.
On Monday, ESPN reported that more than 10,000 players have already opted to be part of the video game. EA Sports will pay them through a name, image and likeness agreement. Players who choose to have their name, image and likeness used will receive $600 and a copy of the game, valued at about $70.
By exceeding 10,000 registrations, EA Sports has reached 87% of its goal for the game, which will feature teams with rosters of 85 players.
A company spokesperson told ESPN that more than 100 of college football's most recognizable players opted to participate over the past week, including Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, quarterback Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Ewers.
OrangeBloods.com first reported that Manning was opting out of EA Sports College Football 25.
ESPN's Adam Ritenberg and Michael Rothstein contributed to this report.
