CFB world left debating over EA Sports College Football 25 standard edition cover photo: "This is hideous" "Why no Milroe?"

College football fans got some good news on Thursday when EA Sports announced that College Football 25 would be released on July 19 for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. The game's cover for the Deluxe edition was recently leaked before the cover players had been revealed.

The official cover picture released Thursday by EA Sports features Texas Longhorns returning quarterback Quinn Ewers, Michigan Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards and Colorado Buffaloes two-way star Travis Hunter.

For the first time in the history of the game, the players on the cover are active student-athletes.

College football fans on X had mixed reactions to the identity of the cover athletes, with some complaining that certain stars were left out while others congratulated the players.

"Cover is disappointing but I don’t care bc I’m still gonna play the game anyway lmao," a post read.

"2 guys made the playoffs. The other is on the cover thanks to his coach being one of the best players in the NFL," one fan tweeted.

"What is 'ewers' doing there," another fan tweeted.

"LFG," one fan tweeted.

"This cover is actually🔥," another user posted.

"All these years and this is all they dreamed up?" another fan tweeted.

"Got me juiced! LFG," one fan tweeted.

"So dope to see! It’s been 11 long years," another fan tweeted.

"Why no Milroe? Quinn may not even be starting next year," one fan tweeted.

The video game's trailer is set to be released on Friday.

College football cover stars speak out on being featured

EA Sports College Football 25 promises to be one of the most iconic video games of this generation, as it had been for years until its last version was produced in 2013 amid lawsuits over improper use of players's images.

The onset of the NIL era in college sports meant that the franchise approached producing a new game differently, taking into account players' names, images and likenesses.

The student-athletes on the cover, Quinn Ewers, Travis Hunter and Donovan Edwards, were happy to be the cover stars for such an iconic game.

During a video call with the media, Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers revealed his delight at being featured on the cover of the famous game.

“It’s going to be such a big game,” Ewers said. “Just being on the cover itself is plenty enough for me and I’m not even worried about the NIL aspect.”

Colorado Buffaloes star Travis Hunter had a phenomenal season for coach Deion Sander's team on both sides of the ball and is widely expected to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

While speaking to reporters, Hunter acknowledged how far he had come by being featured on the cover of the famous college football game and gave some advice for the next generation.

“I mean, I got a lot of little kids looking up to me,” Hunter said. “Stay humble, stay focused. … Let the kids know you got to continue to work. As long as you’re humble and chase your dreams you’ll be able to fulfill everything you want to fulfill.”

Edwards won the national championship last season with the Michigan Wolverines under coach Jim Harbaugh. During the national championship game against the Washington Huskies, he played a big role in the win, rushing for 104 yards on six carries, resulting in two touchdowns.

Donovan revealed that he had played the game as a child and told reporters how happy he was to be on the cover of the comeback college football game.

“Just for it to be back, as well as to be on the cover of it, it’s an awesome feeling,” Donovan said.

The popularity of College Football 25 means that Quinn Ewers, Donovan Edwards and Travis Hunter will likely be considered the faces of college football going forward.