Arch Manning confirms inclusion in EA Sports College Football 25 after initial reports of opting out

In a surprising turn of events, Texas backup quarterback Arch Manning has reversed his decision and will now be featured in EA Sports College Football 25. Initially declining the offer to have his likeness in the game, Manning, the grandson of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and nephew of Super Bowl champions Peyton and Eli Manning, shared a video on social media showing Eli reading him a play call before throwing a touchdown pass in the game. This announcement comes ahead of the game's release on July 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles, marking the return of EA Sports' college football franchise after an eight-year hiatus due to legal issues surrounding player likeness. The NCAA's recent approval for players to profit from their brand paved the way for the game's revival, with EA Sports offering FBS players a minimum of $600 and a copy of the game to include their likeness. Despite initial reports of Manning focusing solely on football and declining the offer, he joins over 11,000 players who have accepted the opportunity to be featured in the game, which will encompass all 134 Football Bowl Subdivision schools. Eli Manning, in a light-hearted tweet, welcomed his nephew's inclusion in the game, highlighting it as a positive way to stay connected to football. Arch Manning's change of heart follows his uncle Eli's playful encouragement and reflects the broader shift in college athletics towards embracing name, image, and likeness opportunities. The EA Sports College Football series, which began in 1993, has evolved to feature real player likenesses, a significant departure from past versions that used generic player names and numbers. With the game set to make a long-awaited return, players now have the chance to not only be represented accurately in the virtual gridiron but also to benefit financially from their involvement, signaling a new era for college sports video games.