Notre Dame Targets Want To Be "In The Game"

Last week’s announcement that EA Sports will be bringing back the beloved NCAA Football franchise came with an important caveat.

The franchise, which hasn’t been updated since 2013, won’t be available this year and it may not be available next year either. Ther announcement even referred to development over “the next couple of years”, meaning a good portion of the current crop of college football players won’t be around to be included.

With Name, Image, Likeness rules not yet in place, it’s not clear yet whether actual players will be included in the game and don’t expect the wink-wink, nod-nod roster of look-a-like players with numbers, but no names. That’s what led to the end of the franchise in the first place.

It seems unlikely EA Sports would spend this much and this much time on a game without at least some hope that a deal will eventually be worked out to feature real players and that’s clearly what many of those future players are hoping.

“One of my biggest dreams is that one day I’ll be on the NCAA football game,” 2022 Pennsylvania running back Nicholas Singleton‍ told ISD. “Knowing that it’s going to come back out is awesome.”

“It’s kind of unreal when you think about it overall,” 2022 Illinois linebacker Sebastian Cheeks‍ said. “I remember playing that game growing up and to even think like I could be using myself is insane.

“It speaks to how things are changing year in and year out. I’m just glad they are bringing it back whether I end up being a player in it or not.”

2022 New Jersey cornerback Davison Igbinosun‍ is definitely hoping he gets to be a player in it.

“That would be a childhood dream come true, I would only control myself,” he laughed.

Meanwhile, 2022 Notre Dame tight end commit Jack Nickel‍ is already hearing from his buddies.

“All my friends texted me about it saying how it’s so cool they’ll be able to play a video game with me in it,” he said.

2022 Tennessee running back Dallan Hayden‍ said NCAA College Football was his favorite game growing up while 2022 Nebraska linebacker Devon Jackson‍ recalls watching those around him play.

“I remember when I was little my dad used to play it and it looked like a fun game,” he said. “To be in a video game would be amazing.”

2022 Iowa defensive back Xavier Nwankpa‍ called the news “exciting.”

“Honestly, to get the chance to be in a game is incredible,” he said. “Just beyond blessed.”

2022 New Jersey quarterback Steve Angeli‍ feels the same way.

“I think it’s awesome,” he said. “I grew up playing with my brothers on NCAA 14, so to know I have a chance at being in the game is really cool.”

Meanwhile, 2022 Michigan running back Dillon Tatum‍ isn’t letting anything distract him from worrying about what college he’d be playing for in the game.

“I feel like it’s great opportunity to have, but I’m more focused on making the right decision.”