Perhaps this summer’s most anticipated release isn’t an album or a movie like most might expect. Instead, it’s the return of an iconic franchise after a decade’s absence, one that holds a certain nostalgia for a generation that grew up on the brand.
That’s right — everyone’s favorite college football video game is back in just a matter of months, and with one key change. Thanks to new NIL regulations, real-life players will be a part of this iteration, in the same way that Madden uses actual NFL stars. According to ESPN, “each player who opts in to have their name, image and likeness used will receive $600 and a copy of the game, valued at around $70.”
Not only is this a long-awaited revival for the general public, but USC players — many of whom have fond memories of playing the game as kids — are just as excited to be featured.
“The excitement is just the fact that college football is back in a video game,” said Jose Eskenazi, an associate athletic director for USC that oversees strategic partnerships, brand and licensing. “The players can now see themselves, play as themselves and receive some compensation.”
Eskenazi has been with USC Athletics for over 20 years and oversaw the school’s partnership with EA Sports during the previous era of college football titles. The process of working with EA has been fairly similar; the main difference is providing information about specific players, including their names, numbers and headshots. Eskenazi says that a majority of the USC football roster has already opted into the game ahead of an end-of-April deadline, adding that he hasn’t heard of any players specifically opting out.
Three of the top Trojan stars for the upcoming season — redshirt junior quarterback Miller Moss, sophomore wide receiver Zachariah Branch and junior defensive lineman Bear Alexander — have already announced on social media that they will be featured in the game.
In typical fashion for a college student, redshirt senior linebacker Mason Cobb said that he forgot his password in order to opt in, but that he’s definitely planning to do so. “Being able to see my name on there will be amazing,” Cobb said, especially since NCAA Football 14 is still one of his favorite games.
Sophomore running back Quentin Joyner and senior linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold have both opted in as well, and they echoed the collective excitement for the game throughout the locker room. In fact, Joyner already has specific plans for the coming months.
“We’re gonna make a national championship run [in the game] and on the field.”
Similar to previous editions of NCAA Football, EA asked Eskenazi for USC’s creative assets to make the gaming experience as realistic as possible. So, he submitted Nike’s line art for the Trojans’ home and away uniforms, which will allow EA to recreate the uniforms down to the smallest of details. The two-finger “victory” emoji will be on the front of players’ helmets and “FIGHT ON!” in block letters on the back — just like in real life.
Other submitted assets include all of USC’s logos and even its rivalry trophies. Trojan fans will be able to win a replica Victory Bell and Jeweled Shillelagh within the game. It doesn’t stop there.
“EA has made an effort to make it so that if you’re playing it, it’s as if you’re in the Coliseum,” Eskenazi said. “They’re trying to make it as authentic as possible, which I believe they’ve done a pretty good job of, from everything that we’ve seen.”
The L.A. Coliseum has undergone renovations since the last installment of EA’s franchise, and the new game will reflect recent changes, such as the remodeled Scholarship Club Tower. Eskenazi mentioned that — aside from corporate advertising — the stadium will be wrapped just like on any gameday. The jerseys of USC’s past Heisman Trophy winners will be laid out on the peristyle end of the field, too.
Several USC traditions during home games will be featured, such as the lighting of the torch at the start of the fourth quarter. Of course, the incessant sound of The Spirit of Troy will be blasting through the speakers within the game as well; you’ll hear “Fight On” after first downs and touchdowns, “Tribute to Troy” on defense and so forth.
Eskenazi also revealed that the school has submitted past rosters and assets to EA, which suggests a possible “legends” gamemode. So, maybe fans will be able to play as Caleb Williams in a Trojan uniform after all.
Unfortunately, not quite every little thing will be featured in EA Sports College Football right away. For example, Traveler won’t make an appearance until future updates or versions of the franchise, and Lincoln Riley isn’t going to be USC’s coach in the game yet either. However, Eskenazi is looking forward to seeing fan feedback for the game and continuing to work with EA Sports to improve the franchise’s long-awaited revival.
Fans will surely want to keep an eye on how USC continues to appear in the game going forward — not just because of the program’s elite prestige in the college football world. After all, USC players often graced the covers of the initial run of the franchise, dating all the way back to when Tommy Trojan was on the front of College Football USA 96. Former USC legends Carson Palmer and Reggie Bush were cover athletes for the 2004 and 2007 versions of the game, while Mark Sanchez made an appearance for the PlayStation Portable edition of NCAA Football 10.
Who knows, perhaps Zachariah Branch might join that elite company of Trojans sometime soon.