![](https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2023/09/USATSI_21492994.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1)
You made it college football video game fans. If you invested in an early access release, Monday is the day that you can play “College Football 25,” EA Sports first release of its college football fanchise in eleven years.
We’ve alreay received a lot of news and video surrounding the release, like Ohio State coming in as the No. 2 rated overall team, possessing the top defense, a top five defense in the game, and eight players ranked in the top 100 of the game, leading all programs.
There’s sure to be more reveals as the game gets turned on across the world today (ahem, 4 p.m. ET), but there’s other things leaking out as well. In fact, we now know there’s a reson that defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau wasn’t one of those players ranked in the top 100, and it has everything to do with him not opting in thanks to reporting from Eleven Warriors. According to reports players that agreed to be part of the game received $600 and a free copy of the game, but it appears Tuimoloau decided against it.
#OhioState fans won't get the chance to play with star defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau, among others, when EA Sports' new College Football 25 drops this week.https://t.co/0cIVt4rtdP pic.twitter.com/D3RELL8xZ3
— Bucknuts (@Bucknuts247) July 15, 2024
J.T.T. isn’t the only scholarship player reportedly not on the roster in the game right now. Others include wide receiver Mylan Graham, wide receiver/tight end Damarion Witten, offensive linemen Ian Moore, Gabe VanSickle and Miles Walker, defensive ends Eddrick Houston and Dominic Kirks, defensive tackle Will Smith Jr., linebacker Garrett Stover and punter Nick McLarty.
Even without Tuimoloau, you should be able to wreak havoc with the OSU defense and make a run at a Big Ten championship by vanquishing the Maize and Blue pride, and making a run at the College Football Playoff. I know we will.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.