College Football game brings excitement, hope to HBCU players

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The College Football ’25 EA Sports video game was released on Monday, sending excitement throughout the HBCU football community. During the SWAC Media Day in Birmingham, AL, the day following the game’s early release, players and coaches expressed their thrill and hopes for future inclusion in the popular franchise.

Kelvin Dean, a standout running back for Florida A&M, couldn’t contain his excitement.

“I was beyond excited. I even brought my PlayStation from home to here, just so I can get the opportunity to be one of the first people on the game when they download it,” he said. Dean’s anticipation was palpable, even though no HBCUs or non-FBS teams were included natively in the game.

“I paid $100 — I got the early version,” Dean told HBCU Gameday . “So, I wish we could have been on there. Hopefully, some update or something puts us on their TeamBuilder or whatever ideas they got going. But yeah man, it’s crazy. It’s been 10 or 11 years since that game’s came out, so, it’s really exciting to get the opportunity to try to play it and redo that again since it’s been so long.”

Evan Henry, an offensive lineman from Jackson State, echoed similar sentiments during SWAC media day.

“I would be playing right now if, you know, we wasn’t at SWAC Media Day. I already downloaded it. I’m waiting to get back to the crib so I can play me some NCAA,” he said, eagerly anticipating his first game.

Grambling State’s defensive back, Quintin Talley, confessed his eagerness to dive into the game. But he didn’t pay the extra $30, so he has to wait a few days.

“I’m a gamer. I look forward to playing it. I know the early drop just happened. I gotta wait my three days before I can play, but I look forward to playing.”

Florida A&M defensive back Kendall Bohelr, however, didn’t hesitate to splurge on the early version of College Football 2025 either.

“When that came out, I instantly got the $100 version. I had to play it early,” he shared with a grin.

Those gamers wanting to play with HBCUs will have to create them from scratch using a “Team Builder” option. This has been the case since the series moved to Playstation III two decades ago.

Alabama A&M’s running back Donovan Eaglin voiced a collective hope among HBCU athletes that this won’t be the case much longer.

“I wish HBCUs was on there, but soon — maybe soon — a couple years from now, hopefully they add FCS schools, even though I’m not going to be on it, hopefully they’ll add FCS schools, but it’s a great game.”

Jackson State head coach T.C. Taylor reminisced about his own gaming days. “

My kids been blowing me up about it, trying to get me on the sticks. I told ’em, — it’s been a long time,” he said with a laugh, fondly recalling his days as ‘the don’ of the game.

Even for those who aren’t avid gamers, like Jackson State’s defensive back Esaias Guthrie, the excitement for College Football 25 is infectious.

“I’m not a gamer, but I do like sitting back and just watching guys play the game and it just being in the back and just talking my stuff, and just getting guys upset. That’s my thing. I love that,” Guthrie said.

The buzz around the EA Sports College Football 2025 EA Sports video game highlights a shared dream among HBCU players—to see their teams and talents represented in future editions, standing shoulder to shoulder with FBS schools.

The post College Football game brings excitement, hope to HBCU players appeared first on HBCU Gameday .