Electronic Arts is set to release its first college football video game since July 2013 on July 19th, and the brand has announced the names of three athletes who will appear on the cover of the revival of the iconic series. .
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers, Colorado Buffaloes two-way athlete Travis Hunter, and Michigan Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards are EA Sports' cover athletes. college football 25.
When Ewers got the call, he said he couldn't believe he would be representing his school in the return of the college football video game.
“Honestly, it was a pretty surreal moment,” Ewers says. “Being chosen to be one of the three people to be on the official cover is an honor to be able to represent the entire university on the cover and bring even more fans to college football in general and the Longhorns.” I'm very excited to be here.”
Michigan has a long history of cover athletes for EA Sports games, starting with Charles Woodson. NCAA Football 99 to Desmond Howard NCAA Football 06 And most recently, Denard Robinson NCAA Football 14. Edwards now has a chance to make his mark.
“I was definitely filled with joy,” Edwards says. “Michigan has players on the cover of the game, so just to be chosen by EA to represent not just my program but the company was definitely surreal, especially as a kid who played the game. The game is also growing. … My best moments came while playing NCAA 14So, not only to have it back, but to be on the cover itself is a great feeling and I'm very grateful to EA for allowing me to represent them and the University of Michigan. ”
When Robinson found out Edwards would be the cover athlete, the Michigan running back said Robinson might have been more excited than he was.
“Denard, when he found out, he was so loud,” Edwards says. “He's a humble guy, so I think he was more happy about being chosen than he was about himself.”
The release of a new college football game has been a long time coming since the franchise ceased production. NCAA14. The reason for the 10-year hiatus was due to multiple lawsuits involving college football players' names, images, and likenesses (NIL) being used in video games without paying the players. When game production was paused 11 years ago, NCAA amateurism rules prevented players from getting paid for appearing in video games.
Fast forward to 2024. Players will now be able to sign NIL contracts and profit from their individual brands without jeopardizing their amateur status with the NCAA, allowing the game to return after 11 years on sale Become.
So did the NIL payment play a role in Ewers, Hunter, and Edwards accepting the opportunity from EA? Not the opportunity.
“I was more focused on being on the cover. I wasn't worried about NIL,” Hunter says. “That was one of our dreams, dude. It's a dream come true.”
“When you think about a moment like this, there's no amount of money you can say no to or yes to,” Ewers said. “I think the important thing is the impact it will have. It's going to be a very big fight all over the world and all over America. Just being on the cover is enough, so you don't have to worry about the NIL aspect at all .”
“No amount of money can help with an opportunity like this,” Edwards said.
Being the cover athlete for a sports video game as popular as EA Sports' college football series comes with great responsibility.
“For me, it was very exciting,” Hunter says of the opportunity. “It's the first time I've been on the cover from Colorado, and the first time I've been on the cover from West Palm Beach, Florida, which is where I'm from. A lot of little kids look up to me. My younger brothers and sisters… it's just that. It was a surreal moment and I'm so excited.”
Hunter doesn't take for granted being a role model for future generations.
“It means a lot to me,” Hunter says. “I was once the kind of kid who looked up to everyone I still look up to. I know I have to keep my head down, stay humble, and stay focused. I have to keep working. So tell your kids that they need to keep working and that as long as they stay humble and follow their dreams, they can achieve anything they want.”
Ewers feels the same way.
“I think it's an honor,” he says. “That's the impact it's going to have on the younger generations coming up. They're going to remember all three of us because we were the first guys on the cover. [NCAA Football 14], so it will be really great to be on the cover for the first time in 10 years. It will also influence the younger generation. ”
Where does being a cover athlete rank on each athlete's list of athletic accomplishments?
“It should be there. [near the top] “Being drafted into the NFL,” Hunter said. “This game is going to be global. Billions of people are waiting for this game to drop…so it ranks high in my book.”
“For me, winning a Big Ten championship or a national championship is definitely up there,” Edwards says. “Personally, it's definitely great for me, especially to be on the cover with these guys.”
“It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be on the cover of a game, so it's definitely up there. It'll probably end up being number one,” Ewers says.
All three players deserve to be the faces of the resurgence of the college football video game.
Edwards is part of a one-two punch with Michigan running back Blake Collum and was a key cog in the Wolverines' rushing attack en route to a national championship last season. He carried the ball 119 times for 497 yards and five touchdowns, and added 249 yards receiving. In the national championship win over the Washington Huskies, Edwards rushed six times for 104 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Wolverines win their first national title since 1997.
Last season, his second year with the Longhorns, Ewers completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,479 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions, leading Texas to the College Football Playoff semifinals in the Sugar Bowl.
Hunter was one of the most dynamic players in college football. He played both sides as a receiver and defensive back for Colorado. He caught 57 passes for 721 yards and five touchdowns, while defensively he added 30 total tackles and three interceptions. He was named an Associated Press First-Team All-American as a versatile player.
