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Adam Rittenberg is a senior writer at ESPN
DALLAS — After impressing at cornerback and wide receiver for Colorado in 2023, Travis Hunter often hears people describe him as a video game player. And now he’s on the cover of the long-awaited return of EA Sports’ college football video game.
Hunter, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and Donovan Edwards share the cover of EA Sports’ College Football 25, set to release on July 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series Great from current players.
Eight days after EA Sports set up NIL trades for current college players, more than 10,000 players have signed up for the game. Each player who signs up will receive $600 and a copy of the game worth about $70. Hunter and Ewers were among the first high-profile players to choose to participate.
The main cover shows Hunter in the middle, Ewers to his right, and Edwards to his left. The cover of the deluxe edition shows Hunter, Ewers, and Edwards in the tunnel at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, where… Wide range photo and video shooting It took place in early March.
Travis Hunter, Quinn Ewers and Donovan Edwards grace the book’s cover @EASPORTSCollege 🔥 pic.twitter.com/yiyi34brIR
– Sports Center (@SportsCenter) May 16, 2024
“It’s just a blessing to be able to be on the cover,” Hunter told ESPN. “We grew up watching this and looking at the covers, and now we’re playing it. When I was young, I waited until 12 noon to get all of NCAA. It was by far my favorite game. I still play the old game NCAA 14 to this day.”
Hunter has created himself in previous games by saying, “I’m ninety years old [rating] Overall, I’m pretty good, but my speed is kind of slow.”
Former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson was on the cover of NCAA Football 14. The last combined cover in 2013 included Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner, and 1988 Heisman winner Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State.
Like Hunter, Ewers played older versions of the game after EA Sports stopped producing it following a lawsuit filed by former players over the use of their names, images and likenesses.
“Obviously I grew up in the era of playing this game, because it was big for my age group,” Ewers told ESPN. “It’s been 10 years since the NCAA game, and to be on the cover with those two guys, I can’t really put it into words. It’s just an honor.”
EA Sports announced the game’s planned return in early 2021, and in December 2022, said the game would be released in the summer of 2024. Every FBS school will be represented along with College Football Playoff and bowl games. Dynasty and Road to Glory modes – two features in previous NCAA games that were hugely popular – will return to the game, which will also feature aspects of the Transfer Portal and NIL.
Ewers and Hunter previously knew each other and reached out to Edwards before the cover shoot. They took photos together around the Cotton Bowl and did some videos, including Ewers throwing a third-down pass to Hunter, who had 57 receptions for 721 yards and 5 touchdowns last season to go along with three interceptions and five pass breakups on defense.
“Donovan, Quinn and Travis are extraordinary talents who thrilled and entertained millions of college football fans on the field last season, and are poised to do so again this year,” said Darryl Holt, senior vice president and general manager of EA Sports Group. “. a permit. “We’re proud to be able to integrate thousands of current athletes into College Football 25, and showcasing 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.”
the A photo session is also included Representatives wearing the uniforms of Notre Dame, Georgia, Alabama, USC, Ohio State, Florida and Oregon. Other than Hunter, Ewers and Edwards, the cover includes jerseys featuring the names of Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck and Ohio State running back Quincheon Judkins.
EA SPORTS College Football 25.
Coming July 19th. Full reveal tomorrow.
Pre-order now 🔗:https://t.co/WxdXjeuRsM pic.twitter.com/1UFmRGMIu8– ESPORTS College (@EASPORTSCollege) May 16, 2024
Edwards grew up playing NCAA Football and Call of Duty and called NCAA Football “the best game I’ve ever played.”
“Just the fact that it hasn’t been around in a decade, you miss it more,” said Edwards, who had 497 yards and five touchdowns in 2023. “The graphics were top notch, the gameplay was top notch, there was no lag, there was no glitch, I’m very fortunate to be able to be on the cover and be able to represent the University of Michigan.
ESPN’s Michael Rothstein contributed to this report.