Ole Miss, MSU and Southern Miss are in the game. Some of their important players aren’t

Nearly 11 years to the day, a college football video game is back on the market.

EA College Football 25 released on early access Monday as the first installment of amateur sports in video game form since NCAA 14 was released in July, 2013.

A decade-plus is a long time and the landscape of college athletics have shifted dramatically. Perhaps the biggest change is the athlete’s ability to earn money from their own name, image and likeness.

Because of NIL, college football players will have their full likeness’ featured in a video game for the first time. EA spent three years in development since announcing the game’s return in 2021 and built out stadiums, traditions and player models from the ground up.

This means fans of Southern Miss, Ole Miss, Mississippi State will be able to play with their favorite players inside of Vaught-Hemingway, Davis Wade or M.M. Roberts Stadium.

We go inside the game to showcase how Mississippi’s three FBS schools are presented within the digital world, including which players did — and didn’t — make the launch roster. The list of notable omissions is not exhaustive and features several late enrollees.

The full release is scheduled for July 19. EA plans to update the game through the course of the upcoming season with new players, new uniforms and other adjustments.

Southern Miss

Football at The Rock will feel familiar for fans. The Eagle statue eyes the field and the screech can be heard at different points in the action. Pick up a first down? You’ll hear the familiar “Southern Miss... to the top!” chant ring out in the stands. Score a touchdown? The cannon will fire.

Top players

• RB Rodrigues Clark 81 OVR
• RG Wil Saxton 80 OVR
• QB Tate Rodemaker 79 OVR

Notable missing players

• QB Ethan Crawford

Ole Miss

When Rebel fans fire up a game at The Vaught, it’s likely the first thing they’ll hear is the famous Hotty Toddy chant. Players will touch the bust of Chucky Mullins as they make their way onto the field. Vaught-Hemingway’s transition from a horseshoe to a bowl and the largest capacity stadium in the state is also accurately featured.

Top players

• DT Walter Nolan 93 OVR
• WR Tre Harris 90 OVR
• QB Jaxson Dart 90 OVR

Notable missing players

• WR Jordan Smart

• S Key Lawrence

• DL Akelo Stone

• DL Suntarine Perkins

• RB Rashad Amos

• QB Walker Howard

• WR Izaiah Hartrup

Mississippi State

If you’re not a Bulldog fan, you may not enjoy playing in Starkville. The cowbells are ringing throughout the game, creating a raucous atmosphere on the playing field. Speaking of the field, the script logo that debuted at midfield in 2023 is accurately reflected in the game. It is also the first time MSU’s $75 million, north end zone-enclosing expansion in 2014 will be seen in a college football game.

Top players

• C Ethan Miner 89 OVR
• WR Kelly Akharaiyi 84 OVR
• RB Davon Booth 82 OVR

Notable missing players

• OL Karsten Upchurch

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