For the first time since 2013, gamers are picking up their controllers and playing a new college football video game.

However, now that college student-athletes can benefit from their Name, Image and Likeness, current players will finally be featured in the game. Those who opted into an NIL deal with EA SPORTS were put into the game just like the ones depicting professional sports.

That’s why it will be Fairhope alum Riley Leonard leading the Notre Dame Fighting Irish instead of “Quarterback #13” like the previous version. Even incoming freshmen like Foley’s Perry Thompson, wide receiver for the Auburn Tigers, have opted into the game.

Trent Battle, a Daphne alum playing running back and special teams for the TCU Horned Frogs was most excited that the timing worked out to where he can play as a character designed like him.

“2014 was the last one that they came out with, and I had that on my PlayStation 3 and played the heck out of that whenever friends would come over,” Battle said at the Daphne Alumni Camp on July 6. “For it to come out while I'm in college, while I'm playing ball and for me to be in the game, it's just like a full-circle moment.”

Players who opted into the game also received their copy a day before the public’s early access and Battle was looking forward to being a kid again, if only for a few minutes before he plans to graduate with his bachelor’s in December.

“You just can't help but be like a little kid. I know all of us as players will get the game early and we're super excited about it,” Battle said. “We didn't even care about the money, we just wanted to be in the game and we're getting to see our names on those players. It's going to be really cool.”

EA SPORTS College Football 2025 is available for play worldwide on Friday, July 19, with early access underway. The game is not available on PC or previous-generation consoles.

Local alumni "In the Game"

Luke Freer, Fairhope – Air Force P

Malik McClain, Daphne – Arizona State WR
Chris Pearson, Orange Beach – Arkansas State ROLB
Perry Thompson, Foley – Auburn WR

Caden Creel, Fairhope – Jacksonville State QB
Jaedon Hill, Elberta (Robertsdale) – Jacksonville State LT

RJ Taylor, Gulf Shores – Kennesaw State LE
Cole McConathy, Spanish Fort – Miami RE
Riley Leonard, Fairhope – Notre Dame QB

Blayne Myrick, Fairhope – South Alabama ROLB
Carlos Johnson, Spanish Fort – South Alabama DT

Jayson Jarrell, Fairhope – South Alabama LG
Kade Hogue, Daphne (Bessemer Academy) – South Alabama C

Ti Mims, Baldwin County – Southern Miss WR
Trent Battle, Daphne – TCU RB
Ky McNulty, Baldwin County – Troy WR

Brady Wilson, Spanish Fort – UAB C

Carl Fauntroy, Spanish Fort – ULM S
Jacob Godfrey, Spanish Fort – ULM WR
Taven Curry, Robertsdale – ULM RB
Micah Gaffney, Spanish Fort – Virginia CB