Over 10,000 student athletes have already opted into the highly anticipated "EA Sports College Football 25" video game, but “one of the sport's most recognizable backups has reportedly decided to sit out of the upcoming video game,” according to Kevin Skiver of USA TODAY. Texas QB Arch Manning reportedly “did not opt in,” which means UT fans can expect to see "QB #16" on the depth chart “instead of ‘A. Manning.’” The fact that he is “already one of college football's most valuable student athletes in terms of NIL” likely “made it a bit easier” for the Manning to pull his name out of the game. Manning reportedly said the reason for opting out is because he is “focused on playing football on the field.” When dealing with a pool as large as "EA Sports College Football 25" had, the NIL incentive “was bound to be relatively paltry.” Players who opted into the game “earned $600 and a copy of the game” (USA TODAY, 3/4).
NOT THE FOCUS: NBCSPORTS.com’s Mike Florio wrote being in a video game “doesn’t undermine” the focus of playing football, so it seems more likely that Manning “wanted more than $600, and that EA passed.” Manning “doesn’t need to be in the game,” and EA “doesn’t currently need him in the game, since he’s not the starter at Texas.” If/when he is, EA “will have an interesting decision to make” -- if Manning “is looking to get as much value from the game as the presence of his last name would give to it” (NBCSPORTS.com, 3/4).
