Arch Manning is in the game.
After initially announcing that he would not be opting into EA Sports' upcoming College Football 25 video game, Manning changed that tune in shocking fashion on Tuesday, July 9.
The college football world was shocked when the Texas Longhorns backup quarterback posted the following video to X.
I’m IN the game 🤘 #CFB25 @EASportsCollege #EAAthlete pic.twitter.com/mgndu7Khuz
— Arch Manning (@ArchManning) July 9, 2024
As it turns out, it pays to have the Manning name. According to Pete Nakos with On3, Manning was paid out between $50-60,000 by EA Sports to promote the upcoming video game. This was on top of the standard payout to athletes putting their likenesses into the game, which has been a copy of the video game along with $600.
NIL Whispers: EA Sports paid Texas QB Arch Manning between $50-60K to promote College Football 25, @On3sports has learned.
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) July 9, 2024
The former No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class will also receive $600 and a copy of the game for opting in.
More: https://t.co/XTTBb5kXNM pic.twitter.com/i2hxPcqCL4
The decision is an exciting one for college football fans wanting to play as Manning in the game. However, the nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning is still set to be the backup behind Quinn Ewers in real life for the 2024 season. Although he's shown no interest in transferring in real life, gamers will be attempting to lure him to their respective programs in the game's dynasty mode.
Manning came into college football with sky-high expectations. Along with being a part of the iconic Manning family, he was also the No. 1 player in the country for the 2023 recruiting class. His offers included top-tier programs like the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs, along with his uncles' alma maters in the Ole Miss Rebels and Tennessee Volunteers.
EA College Football 25 will release on July 19, with fans who preordered the deluxe version of the game getting to play three days earlier.
