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Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior Writer
More than 10,000 college football players have already opted in for EA Sports College Football 25, which will launch this summer, but fans will have to wait at least another year for Texas quarterback Arch Manning to lead their teams on the new video game.
Manning, a sophomore backup for the Longhorns and the nephew of former NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli, is among the players who have opted out of being included in the video game, a source confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.
Manning, who attempted only five passes in one game as Quinn Ewers‘ backup in 2023, wanted to wait until “he was the guy” at Texas, the source said.
Manning was the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2022 ESPN 300 after a standout career at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, where his father, Cooper, and famous uncles played. He will likely be a backup again this season after Ewers decided to return after leading the Longhorns to a Big 12 title and their first appearance in the College Football Playoff in 2023.
Manning has been reluctant to do NIL deals, despite a robust market for his name, image and likeness, as well. His only NIL deal last year was an exclusive trading card partnership with Panini America that included a charitable auction.
On Monday, ESPN reported that more than 10,000 players have already opted in to be part of the video game. EA Sports will pay them through a name, image and likeness deal. Players who opt in to have their name, image and likeness used will receive $600 and a copy of the game, valued at around $70.
By surpassing 10,000 opt-ins, EA Sports has reached 87% of its goal for the game, which will feature teams with 85-man rosters.
A company spokesperson told ESPN that more than 100 of college football’s most recognizable players have opted in during the past week, including Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, 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 Rittenberg and Michael Rothstein contributed to this report.
