Gators Dive into EA Sports College Football 25 with Excitement and Anticipation

Freshman quarterback DJ Lagway took a seat, grabbed a controller, and made an immediate change to Florida’s roster. Lagway benched Graham Mertz and put himself in as the starting quarterback for a quick game of EA Sports College Football 25 against his teammate Tank Hawkins.

What happened next was surreal. Both players, using the Gators and swapping out Mertz, saw Lagway intercept Hawkins' first two passes, essentially picking off his own character. "That was different," Lagway remarked.

This scenario is likely playing out across the nation, as college football players finally get to play as themselves in one of the most anticipated video games. EA Sports College Football 25 launched on Friday, prompting schools to host parties, tournaments, and fan events. The Associated Press got an inside look at Florida teammates competing on a big screen during their annual photo/video shoot. The atmosphere was electric, filled with excitement, friendly banter, and intense competition.

“It was like a childhood dream come true,” Lagway said after winning his matchup. Many current Gators grew up playing Madden, EA Sports’ NFL equivalent. The last college football game from EA Sports was released in 2013, and the franchise lay dormant for 11 years due to controversies over player compensation for their names, images, and likenesses.

With the NCAA now allowing athletes to profit from their brand, EA Sports revived its beloved game. Before its official release, 2.2 million gamers had already played during an early-access period, and another 600,000 signed up for an EA Play trial. EA Sports offered FBS players at least $600 and a copy of the game to be featured, an offer thousands, including the entire Florida roster, accepted.

Freshman linebacker Myles Graham eagerly awaited the game’s release. “Every day, I was counting down, and when the day finally came, I couldn’t stop playing.” Graham, like Lagway, moved himself into the starting lineup before facing off against running back Anthony Rubio, son of Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio.

The excitement around the game was palpable. For many, it was a chance to relive their childhood dreams. Rubio reminisced about playing older versions of the game, often choosing the Gators and dominating with Tim Tebow.

Lagway’s initial rating in the game is 80, impressive for a new recruit from Texas. He aims to improve his rating as the season progresses. “I feel like I have to prove myself,” he said, anticipating future updates.

The players marveled at the game’s realistic features, from the graphics to the gameplay mechanics, including shaking tackles and crowd noise effects. They also appreciated the inclusion of NIL deals and the transfer portal in the dynasty mode, allowing them to build programs into five-star powerhouses.

Running back Montrell Johnson, known as one of the team’s best gamers, stayed up late playing the game before heading to the SEC’s preseason media days. Defensive lineman Caleb Banks even spent $150 on an MVP bundle to get early access.

Florida’s locker room is stocked with copies of the game, all actively in use. Lagway admits he’s played numerous times but knows his gaming will slow down with training camp approaching. As for letting Mertz throw the ball? "Just once," he said with a laugh, "on a trick play."