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EA Sports’ NCAA Football 25 video game is available July 19. It’s the first college football video games since 2014. (Mark Podolski — The News-Herald)
I’m 53 years old, and my hardcore video gaming days are long past.
Our 15-year-old son Sam is another story.
Football has consumed his life. He’s will be a sophomore at Mayfield High School in the fall, and plays inside linebacker in the Wildcats’ football program.
He also loves video games, and now he absolutely loves EA Sports’ much-anticipated NCAA Football 25 video game.
That seems to be the case across the nation, where college football — some would argue — is the second-most popular sport in America after the NFL. As an onlooker the past few days, it’s easy to see why NCAA Football 25 is fast-becoming a fan-favorite.
Might it pass the Madden franchise as the post popular football video game? Time will tell but don’t count out the growing popularity of NCAA Football 25 after just a few days.
For those who want and need realistic graphics, this is your game. Every detail of pregame hype, stadium detail, uniforms and play-calling is here.
And of course, the big draw is the players’ name, image and likeness — or more commonly known as NIL.
This is EA Sports’ first college football game since 2014. The reason for the long hiatus between college football video games was because of the lawsuit against the governing body of college by former UCLA college basketball player Ed O’Bannon, who began a legal fight for college athletes to earn money on their NIL. The players won and are now cashing in multiple ways.
Early estimates report at least 700,000 purchases of the deluxe editions on July 16, which earned EA reportedly about $70 to $90 million. Current players in the game were paid $600 and received a copy of the game.
The game-play features and modes are what make this game unique.
There’s a “wear & tear” feature that forces players to manage their team’s health during games. A “homefield advantage” rattles the visiting team to the point gamers are forced to play through distractions such as screen-shaking.
The pageantry of college football is what fans love, and it’s shown off in beautiful detail at iconic venues such as Ohio Stadium, Michigan’s Big House, the Rose Bowl, The Swamp in Florida and others. There are also unique team entrances, crowd chants, a loudness meter, fight songs and mascots.
Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit provided their voices for the game as did Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer and David Pollack. The bigger the game, the more you hear from the Fowler-Herbstreit broadcast team.
There are several modes, including “Dynasty” in which gamers create a coach and build a national power. Hire a coaching staff, recruit from high school or hit up the transfer portal.
“Road to Glory” is create-a-player mode. Manage your class load, maintain your GPA, vie for playing time and then create your image for top dollars. If that’s not working out, enter the transfer portal.
There’s also “Road to the College Football Playoff” with the newly created 12-team CFP featuring home games in the opening round then bowl games hosting the rest of the postseason.
Michigan cornerback Will Johnson (96) is the game’s No. 1 rated player in the game. Ohio State has two players among the game’s top 10 — safety Caleb Downs (95) at No. 5, and running back Quinshon Judkins (95) at No. 9.
There are 100 unique playbook and 10 different offensive schemes to choose for the 134 teams available.
If it all seems a bit daunting, it is. There so much to consume but for college football fans, this is the game to own and play.
Top 10
The top players rated in EA Sports’ NCAA Football 25:
1. Will Johnson, Michigan, CB 96
2. Will Campbell, LSU, LT, 96
3. Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State, RB, 96
4. James Pearce Jr., Tennessee, DE, 95
5. Caleb Downs, Ohio State, S, 95
6. Travis Hunter, Colorado, WR, 95
7. Malaki Starks, Georgia, S, 95
8. Mason Graham, Michigan, DL, 95
9. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State, RB, 95
10. Tate Ratledge, Georgia, OL, 95
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