Arch Manning Won’t Opt-In to College Football Video Game Until He’s ‘The Guy’ at Texas
Texas quarterback Arch Manning made headlines on Monday announcing that he would be opting out of the upcoming college football video game, EA Sports College Football 25.
Manning became one of the few names mentioned opting out of the game, which caused some backlash in the community as reports of more than 10,000 opt-ins have been recorded just eight days after opening the opportunity to FBS programs.
Manning clarified his stance with On3’s Grant Stubbs, mentioning his intentions to wait until he’s “the guy” at Texas. While Manning likely envisioned himself taking over the program in Year Two in Austin, sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers elected to return in 2024, keeping Arch as the team’s backup signal caller once again.
Arch Manning has quickly become one of the biggest names in college football despite only attempting five career passes as a Longhorn. The loss of Manning is disappointing for some, but with the majority of the names receiving odds for the 2024 Heisman Trophy opting into the game, Manning’s stance has warranted some criticism.
Georgia’s Carson Beck, Texas’ Quinn Ewers, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, and many more athletes have already opted into the game alongside a large percentage of collegiate athletes.
“The response to the athlete opt-in opportunity for EA Sports College Football 25 has been phenomenal,” Daryl Holt, senior vice president and group general manager for EA Sports, told ESPN in a statement. “In the little over one week, over 10,000 athletes across the FBS have opted-in to the offer with more saying ‘yes’ every hour. We’re excited to welcome more athletes in the weeks ahead and to debut this first class of athletes in the game when it launches this summer.”
While college football fans will have their choice of playing with some of the top athletes in all of college football in EA Sports new release, fans will have to wait until at least next year to see Arch Manning included.
