In a surprise move, Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning decided to opt out of the upcoming “EA Sports College Football 25” video game.
The game, which will be released later this year, will mark the first installment of the EA Sports college football video game franchise in 11 years. Over 10,000 players have decided that they’re opting into the game.
Longhorns columnist Anwar Richardson broke the news of Manning’s announcement on Monday evening, stating that the 18-year-old prefers to focus “on playing football on the field.”
According to Mark Schlabach of ESPN, Manning decided that he didn’t want to be featured in the video game franchise until “he was the guy”. Manning will again back up Quinn Ewers for the 2024 season:
“Manning, a sophomore backup for the Longhorns and the nephew of former NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli, is among the players who have opted out of being included in the video game, a source confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.
Manning, who attempted only five passes in one game as Quinn Ewers‘ backup in 2023, wanted to wait until “he was the guy” at Texas, the source.”
Manning is the son of Cooper Manning, the eldest brother of former NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning. Arch’s grandson, Archie Manning, was also an NFL quarterback who played from 1971 to 1984.
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Peyton and Eli were first overall picks in 1998 and 2004, respectively. Both men went on to win two Super Bowl rings, with Eli’s titles coming as a member of the New York Giants. Peyton won his first with the Indianapolis Colts in 2006 before winning a second ring with the Denver Broncos in 2015.
Arch backed up Ewers last season and saw very little playing time. With Ewers deciding to return to college for another year, many wondered if Manning would enter the transfer portal. That obviously didn’t end up happening.
