A new generation of college football stars enters the digital arena
The latest installment of EA Sports’ college football franchise, College Football 27, launched this week across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Windows, marking the first time the series has been available on PC. Players who subscribed to the MVP+ tier received early access on July 2, giving them a head start ahead of the general release.
Alongside the rollout, EA Sports announced that each participant in the game’s opt‑in program would receive a $1,500 payment, a sizable increase over the $600 offered in the previous year. The move reflects a growing emphasis on compensating student‑athletes for their digital likenesses.
Among the roster are several athletes who hail from the Pensacola area, many of whom have already made names for themselves at major programs. Waymond Jordan, a running back from Escambia High School now at USC, carries an 88 rating, while Ja’Kobi Jackson of Pensacola Catholic, a running back at Ohio State, holds an 81 rating. Simeon Price, also a Pensacola Catholic alumnus, is listed at Oregon with an 80 rating. The group also includes cornerback Damarius McGhee at Florida Atlantic, wide receiver Christian Neptune at Auburn, and a host of other local prospects, each bringing a hometown flavor to the virtual gridiron.
Pensacola’s gridiron legacy goes digital
Local coaches and parents have celebrated the inclusion of these players, seeing the game as a modern extension of the region’s football culture. For many of the prospects, the title offers not only exposure but also a modest financial stipend that acknowledges their contribution to the game’s authenticity. As the release spreads across the country, the names from Pensacola will be familiar sights on screens, reminding fans that the next generation of stars often begins on hometown fields.
EA Sports’ partnership with a host of universities — from the University of Southern California to the University of South Florida — illustrates how the digital representation of college athletics continues to expand, blending entertainment with the real‑world careers of tomorrow’s athletes.