EA Sports College Football 25: Release Date, Features, and Cover Athletes

After a decade-long hiatus, EA Sports is bringing back its college football franchise with the highly anticipated release of EA Sports College Football 25. This article delves into the release date, features, cover athletes, and editions of the game, providing a comprehensive overview for eager fans.

Release Date and Availability

EA Sports College Football 25 is scheduled for a worldwide release on July 19. However, fans who purchase the Deluxe Edition will gain 3-day early access starting on July 16. Pre-orders are available until July 18.

Platforms

The game will be available on the following platforms:

PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X
Xbox Series S

Cover Athletes: A Trio of College Football Stars

The cover of College Football 25 features a trio of current college football stars:

Donovan Edwards: Running back from the University of Michigan.
Quinn Ewers: Quarterback from the University of Texas.
Travis Hunter: Wide receiver/defensive back from the University of Colorado.

Daryl Holt, SVP and Group GM at EA Sports, stated, “Donovan, Quinn and Travis are extraordinary talents who impressed and entertained millions of college football fans on the field last season and are poised to do so again this year." He added, "We’re proud to be able to incorporate thousands of current athletes in College Football 25, and featuring this trio of playmakers and their iconic college programs on the cover is a perfect fit as we usher in a new era for EA SPORTS and college football."

Achievements of the Cover Athletes

Donovan Edwards: Edwards excelled in the Wolverines’ national championship run last season, where he became the first player in College Football Playoff (CFP) history with two rushing touchdowns of 40-plus yards in the title game. He also broke onto the scene in 2022 when he rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Ohio State. “EA SPORTS games are legendary and to see myself on the cover of College Football 25 is truly surreal,” said Edwards.
Quinn Ewers: Ewers led Texas to a victory over Alabama at the beginning of the season last year and a College Football Playoff appearance in the school’s final season in the Big 12. The Longhorns lost to Washington in the semifinals. “It’s going to be such a big game,” Ewers said on a video call with reporters. “To represent the burnt orange on the real and virtual gridirons is such an honor."
Travis Hunter: Hunter, who plays cornerback and wide receiver, was a top recruit out of high school who shocked the landscape when he decided to enroll at Jackson State in 2021 to be coached by Deion Sanders. “I couldn’t be more pumped to be part of College Football 25 and represent my Buffaloes on the cover of a game with so much excitement behind it,” said Hunter. “I mean, I got a lot of little kids looking up to me,” he said. “Stay humble, stay focused. … Let the kids know you got to continue to work."

All three cover athletes are active players for the first time in the game franchise’s history.

Game Editions and Features

EA Sports College Football 25 will be available in three editions: Standard, Deluxe, and MVP Bundle.

Standard Edition

Details specific to the Standard Edition were not itemized in the provided text.

Deluxe Edition

Those who purchase the Deluxe Edition will receive several perks, including:

3-day early access to the game, beginning on July 16.
Heisman Hopeful Ultimate Team Pack (Choice of 1 out of 5 Player Items).
Alma Mater Ultimate Team Pack (Choice of 1 out of 134 player items).
Cover Athlete Ultimate Team Pack (choice of 1 of 3 player items).
Bring Glory Home Ultimate Team Uniform Item.
4600 College Football Points.

MVP Bundle

The MVP Bundle includes both Madden NFL 25 Deluxe Edition and College Football 25 Deluxe Edition, along with:

Read also: Crafting Your NCAA Profile

4600 Madden Points.
4600 College Football Points.
Breakouts Player Pack.
Extra Credit Pack.
Elite MUT Item.

Key Features

CampusIQ: Offers an authentic, fast-paced college football experience, featuring an all-new composure system, player Wear & Tear, homefield advantages, and dozens of diverse playstyles across all 134 FBS teams.
Wear & Tear system: As the hits add up, players wear down.
Pre-Snap Recognition: Makes the decision behind every snap matter more.
Homefield advantage: Game-altering homefield advantages rattle your rivals in college football's toughest places to play.
Iconic Atmospheres: Authentic soundscapes fully immerse you inside legendary stadiums, from The Big House to The Swamp, from Tuscaloosa to College Station, complete with all their iconic rituals and traditions.

Game Modes

Dynasty: Create a coach, take control, upgrade their abilities, and build a powerhouse college football program.
Road To Glory: Live the life of a student-athlete with your created player and take home the Heisman as you build an unforgettable college football legacy.
College Football Ultimate Team (CUT): Build your dream team of college football stars and legends. Play Solo Challenges or H2H Seasons to upgrade your squad and take on the toughest contests.

The Return of College Football Games

The return of EA Sports College Football games comes after a long hiatus due to legal issues surrounding the use of players’ likenesses without compensation. The Keller vs. case (2013) led to the ruling that players' likenesses could not be used in the games if the athletes were not being compensated. However, the NCAA v. Alston case led to the Supreme Court ruling in favor of player compensation. Now, players can be paid for their name, image, and likeness, paving the way for the return of the beloved franchise. EA Sports offered FBS players a minimum of $600 and a copy of the game to have their likeness included in it.

Accessibility Features

The game includes accessibility features to cater to a wider audience.

Additional Information

PS Plus is required for online play.
In-game purchases are optional.
The game supports up to 6 online players with PS Plus.

A Glimpse into the Game

UTEP football coach Scotty Walden said he became familiar with the Miner program years ago by playing them on EA Sports College Football, where he presumably had more success than the team often did on the field.

It's easy to see the attraction to UTEP in the 25 version of the game, which released a stadium entrance clip on Instagram where the Miners run onto the Sun Bowl field for a game against Charlotte (UTEP actually did play Charlotte in the Sun Bowl and may never play them again in real life).

In the clip the stadium appears sold out, with a close up of fans in body paint. "Welcome to the West Texas town of El Paso," the announcer exclaims. As the Miners move down the tunnel there is a clear view of the backs of Sione Tonga’uiha and Dorian Hopkins. Then it appears Emari White leads the team on to the field, behind the flag bearers and between the marching band in formation, to wild enthusiasm from the Miner fans.

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