College Football 26 Features Hundreds of Athletes, Excludes 43 Players Pending Updates

The release of EA Sports' College Football 26 has brought renewed excitement to fans, marking the second edition of the game after an 11-year hiatus due to legal issues surrounding players' name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. Players must opt in to be featured, receiving $1,500 and a free copy of the game, an increase from last year's $600 payment. Several local college football stars, including Michigan's Greg Crippen and Duke's Terry Moore, are prominently featured, with Moore ranked among the top safeties. However, some players, such as a number from West Virginia, are not included due to factors like late commitments or opting out, though updates are expected to add missing players. The game rates players based on their previous season's performance, allowing ratings to fluctuate throughout the season. This year's release continues to help athletes gain recognition, with featured players expressing enthusiasm about being immortalized in the game.