Players Missing from NCAA Football 25: Reasons and Notable Absences
The highly anticipated release of EA Sports' College Football 25, the first in over a decade, has generated immense excitement among fans eager to immerse themselves in the world of college football gaming. However, the launch has also brought attention to players missing from the game for various reasons. This article explores the factors contributing to these absences and highlights some notable players who won't be found on the initial rosters.
Factors Influencing Player Absence
Several factors can explain why certain players are not included in College Football 25. These include:
- Opt-Outs: Players have the option to opt out of being included in the game. While the specific reasons for opting out vary, some players may feel that the compensation offered for their name and likeness is insufficient.
- Timing of Arrival: Players who joined a team shortly before the game's launch may not have been included due to the timing of their arrival. EA may not have had enough time to incorporate them into the game before its release.
- EA's Discretion: EA Sports ultimately decides which players to include in the game. While they strive to include as many players as possible, some may be excluded due to various constraints.
EA Sports ended the College Football series originally because players felt they weren't compensated enough for their names and images used in the games. While College Football 25 is paying players, some still feel they are not getting paid enough, or they just simply did not want to be included.
EA will be making several updates throughout the summer and season, so some of these players will eventually end up in the game.
Notable Absences
West Virginia Mountaineers
According to Schuyler Callihan, publisher of West Virginia On SI, several Mountaineers players are currently not featured in the game:
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- RB Diore Hubbard
- WR Brandon Rehmann
- WR Dom Collins
- OT Justin Terry
- TE Kole Taylor
- TE Greg Genross
- TE Noah Braham
- DL Oryend Fisher
- DL Corey McIntyre Jr.
- LB Curtis Jones
- CB Keyon Washington
- S Jaheem Joseph
- S Chris Henry
LSU Tigers
According to On3, some LSU football players are not featured, at least at launch:
- DB Sage Ryan: The only starter on this list, Ryan's absence is certainly a surprise.
- WR Aaron Anderson: A speedy receiver who will see action in the return game. He has apparently been replaced by an auto-generated player with 92 speed.
- DT Dominick McKinley: This one is truly a bummer. While McKinley likely wouldn't have had absurd ratings this season and isn't likely to play a massive role.
- DT Gio Paez: One of two offseason defensive tackle transfer additions, Paez could compete for a starting job after coming in from Wisconsin.
- RB John Emery Jr.: In the video game, however, you'll have to make do with Josh Williams and Kaleb Jackson.
- CB Bernard Causey: The second true freshman on the list, Causey apparently joined McKinley in not opting in to the game.
- DB Austin Ausberry: Ausberry is an LSU legacy who transferred from SEC rival Auburn, and he was mostly a depth addition.
Other Notable Opt-Outs
While it was difficult to find the names of all the players who chose to opt out of being in College Football 25, it seems as if two prominent names have made it known to the public:
- Arch Manning (University of Texas)
- Memorable Factor (Duke)
Top Players Missed (2014-2023)
Looking back at the past decade (2014-2023), several exceptional college football players would have been incredible additions to the game. Here are 25 of the most outstanding players who were not featured in previous NCAA Football titles:
- Lamar Jackson, Louisville (QB): The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner, Jackson, displayed a dazzling skill set at Louisville, responsible for over 5,000 yards of offense that season. His unmatched ability to run and throw was mesmerizing.
- Kyler Murray, Oklahoma (QB): The 2018 Heisman Trophy winner, Murray had three games that season where he totaled 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards, leading the FBS in that department.
- Christian McCaffrey, Stanford (RB): McCaffrey led all FBS players with 2,664 scrimmage yards in 2015, over 350 yards more than anyone else. He tied for the lead with 29 plays of 20 yards or more.
- Saquon Barkley, Penn State (RB): The do-it-all runner was the only player in the FBS in 2017 to have 1,200 rushing yards and at least 50 receptions, putting up an eye-popping 21 total touchdowns for the year.
- Derrick Henry, Alabama (RB): Henry led the nation with 2,219 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns in 2015, delivering 109 first downs on the ground when no other player had more than 88.
- Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma (QB): Mayfield put together over 4,500 passing yards and more than 300 rushing yards to pace the Sooner offense in 2017 and was the only player in the nation to achieve both of those benchmarks.
- Joe Burrow, LSU (QB): Burrow threw for 5,671 yards and a whopping 60 touchdowns in 2019, both leading the nation, leading LSU to a perfect 15-0 season and a national championship.
- DeVonta Smith, Alabama (WR): The former Heisman Trophy winner posted over 1,800 receiving yards in 2020, more than 400 yards than the next player on that list, with 23 receiving touchdowns, by far the most of any player that season.
- Marcus Mariota, Oregon (QB): A true dual-threat option, Mariota was responsible for an FBS-leading 58 touchdowns in 2014, with just four interceptions against 42 touchdown passes and 770 rushing yards.
- Ja'Marr Chase, LSU (WR): Chase led the nation with 20 receiving touchdowns in 2019 and also led the FBS with 18 receptions of 30 yards or more.
- Jaylen Waddle, Alabama (WR): Waddle's speed was jaw-dropping. The dynamic receiver ran a lightning-quick 4.37 40-yard dash and produced chunk plays when on the field, even returning a punt for a touchdown in 2018.
- Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech (QB): Mahomes was the only Division I player to pass for 5,000 yards in 2016, throwing for nearly 500 yards more than Watson did, and scampered for another 12 rushing touchdowns, totaling 53 touchdowns on the season.
- Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State (RB): Walker displayed a knack for making big plays during his one season at Michigan State, leading the country in both 15-yard rushes and 25-yard rushes, while finishing second in overall rushing yards with 1,636 in 2021.
- Marvin Harrison Jr, Ohio State (WR): Harrison finished as the only player with at least 14 receiving touchdowns and a rushing touchdown in 2013, averaging 18.07 yards per reception.
- Justin Fields, Ohio State (QB): Fields was the only player with 40 passing touchdowns and fewer than five interceptions in college football in 2019, paired with 10 rushing touchdowns.
- Myles Garrett, Texas A&M (DE): Garrett was one of just two players in college football to have 12 or more sacks, five forced fumbles AND at least one interception in 2015.
- Chase Young, Ohio State (DE): Young led the FBS with 16.5 sacks in 2019, and delivered six forced fumbles.
- Jabrill Peppers, Michigan (LB/S/RB): A true jack-of-all-trades, Peppers notched three sacks to go along with his three rushing touchdowns in 2016, making him the only FBS player with three of each that season.
- Trevor Lawrence, Clemson (QB): Lawrence showcased his incredible dual-threat ability in 2019, becoming the only QB that season to accumulate 35 passing touchdowns and 500 rushing yards.
- Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma (QB): Hurts led the nation with 17 rushing touchdowns in the red zone in 2019, while proving his skill as a passer with 32 passing touchdowns and a near 70% completion percentage.
- Deshaun Watson, Clemson (QB): Watson was the only player to have 40 passing touchdowns with 500 rushing yards during the 2016 college football season, leading the Tigers to a national championship.
- Trevone Boykin, TCU (QB): Boykin was one of only two QBs to pass for more than 30 touchdowns and rush for 700 or more yards in 2014, joining Ohio State QB JT Barrett.
- Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State (RB): Elliott had six rushes go for 50 yards or more in 2015, tied for the lead among all FBS players, with 23 rushing touchdowns, third-most among all players in 2015.
- Adoree Jackson, USC (CB/WR/RET): Jackson did it all for the Trojans, playing all over the field and delivering big-time performances in big games, with at least five interceptions with two or more fumble recoveries during the 2016 campaign.
- Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin (RB): Taylor was an Iron Man for the Badgers in 2019, collecting over 2,000 rushing yards and also showed elite-level pass-catching ability, standing as the only player to run for 2,000 yards and record 250 receiving yards during the 2019 season.
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