Electronic Arts is set to release EA College Football 25 in the summer of 2024, a game that will have all 134 Football Bowl Sub-division teams including WKU.

Along with the inclusion of the 134 FBS teams, with the present state of NIL in college athletics, 85 members of a teams depth chart are able to opt-in to the game, allowing EA to use their name, image and likeness.

“Growing up, you know, you always wanted to be in a video game and our time is finally now,” Defensive lineman Jayden Loving said.

Assistant Athletic Director Collin Stoecker claims that in addition to giving the team a chance to play, the game is a unique opportunity for the Hilltoppers to establish their identity.

As far as collegiate athletes go, “I think it’s a really cool way to build your brand that they haven’t had in the last decade, or really ever,” said Stoecker. “I believe that NIL is enabling our kids to develop their brand through something like a video game for the first time, in a really unique way.”

Athletes who want to participate in EA College Football 25 can receive a complimentary copy of the game and a payment of $600, but Hosea Wheeler, a defensive tackle at WKU, says he is not concerned about the money.

“I’m not really giving that much thought.”

Caden Veltkamp, the quarterback, Wheeler, and Loving have all chosen to participate in the game, and Veltkamp says the boys in the locker room are thrilled about the chance.

According to Veltkamp, “everyone I’ve talked to is really excited.” “Everyone in the locker room is really excited about being in it and excited to play it because we’re getting put in a video game and we’re getting free money and a free copy of the game that hasn’t come out in a decade.”

The EA Sports College X (Twitter) account states that as of March 4, over 10,000 athletes had chosen to participate in the game. The game’s official release date has not yet been disclosed.