The official trailer for the EA Sports’ College Football 25 wasn’t the only news regarding the new video game on Friday. Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava announced on social media that he’ll officially be part of the game, which will be released on July 19.
“It’s not (College Football 25) without (8),” the former five-star prospect wrote in a caption on Instagram while sharing the game trailer, “I’m in the game.”
Production of the video game, which made its debut in 1993, was discontinued after NCAA Football 14 was released due licensing contract issues and, at the time, an ongoing name, image and likeness lawsuit.
Now the game is back with the NIL era of college football well underway, allowing likeness of players to be used in the game. The game cover was unveiled earlier this week, featuring Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, Colorado wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter and Michigan running back Donovan Edwards.
EA Sports on Friday released a one minute, 50 second trailer for the game, which included scenes showing the Smokey mascot and Tennessee players celebrating at Neyland Stadium.
Nico Iamaleava in first career start: 178 total yards, four total touchdowns
Iamaleava made his first career start on New Year’s Day, capping his freshman season with a 35-0 win over Iowa in the Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
He was named Tennessee’s starter after Joe Milton III opted out to begin prep work for the NFL Draft and accounted for four total touchdowns in the win. Iamaleava completed 12 of 19 passes for 151 yards and one passing touchdown and ran 15 times for 27 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Iamaleava opened the scoring with a 19-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and added a 3-yard touchdown run six minutes later. He had a 2-yard touchdown run in the third and threw an 18-yard touchdown to tight end McCallan Castles in the fourth quarter.
Nico Iamaleava was the No. 1 overall recruit in 2023
He was not only a five-star prospect coming out of Long Beach, California, in 2023, he was the No. 1 overall player in the On3 rankings. He was ranked No. 6 overall in the On3 Industry Ranking, coming in as the No. 3 quarterback in the class and the No. 1 player in the state of California.
Iamaleava appeared in five games last season, competing 28 of 45 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns. He ran 20 times for 71 yards and had the three rushing touchdowns in the bowl win.
The 151 yards passing against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl was a season high for Iamaleava, who passed for 86 yards against UConn in November and had 66 against Vanderbilt. His first career touchdown pass also came against UConn on another pass to Castles.
He ran once for 25 yards against UConn and had two rushes for 15 yards against Vanderbilt.
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