Three local players are in the College Football 25 video game. So how did they rate?

EVANSVILLE — A long nightmare is finally over: there is an NCAA football video game again.

College Football 25 released worldwide on Friday for those who didn't pony up extra money to get it three days early. It's been 11 years since the last game for many reasons. We're not here to rehash the past. Let's instead focus on what fans across Southwestern Indiana can expect.

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I haven't played it yet since a new console — the game is only available on PlayStation 5 or XBox Series X/S — is on the to-do list. Sooner rather than later, though, after many hours were spent playing this series during my younger years.

Most of the old game modes are reportedly in the newest version including Dynasty. But there are a few connections to the Evansville area available now and in the future.

Who from Southwestern Indiana is in NCAA Football 25?

The game developer, Electronic Arts, says over 11,000 real players are in the game with each receiving $600 and a copy of the game. Can you play as someone from the Evansville area?

The answer is yes.

Devin Mockobee, Purdue: The Boonville grad is the highest rated SW Indiana alum at 81. Mockobee led the Boilermakers in rushing the past two years including 807 yards and six touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore.

Branson Combs, Wake Forest: The Memorial grad is rated a 79 at linebacker. Combs had a career-high 85 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions last fall at Southern Illinois.

Brady Allen, Louisville: The Gibson Southern grad is rated a 74 at quarterback. The 2021 Indiana Mr. Football winner only attempted one pass last year, a 7-yard completion.

What about other athletes?

This is where you'll need to get creative. The game only included teams from the Football Bowl Subdivision but not every player on every roster. You also have limits on editing said rosters because of Name, Image and Likeness restrictions. And unfortunately, the traditional Create-A-Player function is a thing of the past.

A truly poor decision if you ask me.

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The only way to add yourself, or any other SW Indiana athletes should you so choose, is the Road to Glory Mode . You can pick your position, level of recruit, attributes and school. It's not quite the same though as dropping others such as walk-ons Clay Conner (Indiana) or Antonio Harris (Purdue) into the game immediately.

What about Evansville or Southern Indiana?

Imagine going back in time nearly 30 years. A college football program in Evansville? You could have it.

The ability to add a fictional University of Evansville or University of Southern Indiana team, or any of the Football Championship Subdivision schools like Indiana State, requires a separate addition: Team Builder. It's not available upon early release but EA announced would be available Friday.

It will bring the ability to build a custom school and program. Per EA's website, you could design everything from uniforms, helmets, fields and logos to then upload the program into Play Now or Dynasty. If you want to play as the Purple Aces or Screaming Eagles, this would be your opportunity.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Three local players are in the College Football 25 video game. So how did they rate?