See which Topeka players are featured in the new EA Sports College Football 25 video game

TOPEKA — The long-awaited return of EA Sports’ College Football 25 officially released on Friday as the first college football video game in 11 years. And thanks to name, image and likeness, actual names are used in this edition.

Athletes had the option to opt in or out of the video game. If they opted in, players received $600 and the deluxe version of the game, which can only be played on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

When playing the game, you can take control of your favorite program, which could feature a local athlete. Here are the seven players from the Topeka area who are in College Football 25.

Callen Barta, Kansas State

• High school: Seaman
• Position: free safety
• Year: freshman
• Overall rating: 67
• Best attribute: 89 acceleration

BJ Canady, California

• High school: Topeka High
• Position: defensive end
• Year: freshman
• Overall rating: 68
• Best attribute: 84 strength

J.P. Deeter, Arizona State

• High school: Topeka High/Manvel (TX)
• Position: defensive end
• Overall rating: 70
• Best attribute: 83 strength

DeShawn Hanika, Kansas

• High school: Hayden
• Position: tight end
• Year: senior
• Overall rating: 76
• Best attribute: 87 acceleration

Joe Otting, Notre Dame

• High school: Hayden
• Position: center
• Overall rating: 73
• Best attribute: 91 strength

Desmond Purnell, Kansas State

• High school: Hayden
• Position: linebacker
• Year: junior
• Overall rating: 83
• Best attribute: 87 awareness

Ky Thomas, Kent State

• High school: Topeka High
• Position: running back
• Year: senior
• Overall rating: 77
• Best attribute: 91 acceleration

Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com