The release of EA Sports’ College Football 27 has sparked plenty of chatter in both sports and gaming circles. But folks have definitely noticed that some big-name collegiate head coaches—like North Carolina’s Bill Belichick and Colorado’s Deion Sanders—aren’t in the game.
Leaving out these high-profile coaches, and a handful of notable players, has people talking about the money side of things. Turns out, getting digital likenesses into a game isn’t just a handshake deal—it comes down to dollars and cents.
Deion Sanders’ Absence: A Financial Decision
Deion Sanders, head coach for Colorado, is one of the most glaring omissions in this year’s game. According to Sanders, it all boiled down to cash.
“If I’m not in the game, that means they weren’t paying enough,” he said at the 2026 Big 12 Football Media Days in Frisco, Texas. He shrugged it off, mentioning that his business team handles these negotiations, and EA Sports just didn’t meet their expectations.
Other Coaches Missing in Action
Sanders isn’t the only coach sitting this one out. Here’s a quick list of others:
- Bill Belichick – North Carolina
- Mario Cristobal – Miami
- Kirk Ferentz – Iowa
- Bronco Mendenhall – Utah State
Why are they missing? Most likely, the licensing deals just didn’t make sense for them. Coaches, like players, need to agree to financial terms with EA to show up in the game.
Player Absences and NIL Agreements
It’s not just coaches who are missing. Some standout players, like Georgia QB Gunner Stockton and Georgia Tech running back Justice Haynes, are also absent this year.
These players haven’t really explained why, but the safe bet is that they didn’t opt-in to EA Sports’ licensing agreement. The deal now offers a one-time NIL payment of $1,500, which is a jump from the $600 in earlier versions.
But there’s a catch: the new agreement doesn’t let players opt out in the future, which might’ve made some of them think twice.
The Evolution of EA Sports’ Licensing Agreements
EA Sports keeps tweaking its licensing deals to keep up with the changing college sports scene. Bumping the NIL payment to $1,500 is a pretty clear sign of that.
Still, by removing the opt-out clause, they’ve made things trickier for players and coaches. Now, they have to weigh quick cash against long-term control over their digital selves.
Deion Sanders’ Tenure at Colorado
Deion Sanders has been a lightning rod in college football since taking over at Colorado. He’s gone 16-21 in three seasons—definitely a mixed bag.
The team cracked the Top 25 in 2024, but plenty of folks doubt their chances for 2026. Sanders, as usual, doesn’t seem too bothered by the critics.
“We don’t care about what people say,” he insisted, putting the spotlight on belief and hard work over outside noise.
Building a Resilient Team Culture
Sanders keeps hammering on team culture at Colorado. “Our kids know who, what, when, where, and how they are, and they know what they got to do and how they got to work,” he said.
That kind of self-awareness and grit is at the core of his coaching style. Even without his digital avatar in the latest game, Sanders is sticking to his guns—he’s all about building something real on the field.
The Broader Impact on EA Sports’ College Football Franchise
Leaving out big-name coaches and players in College Football 27 brings up a lot of questions about where this franchise is headed. The game’s still getting plenty of hype, but these omissions highlight just how complicated the licensing game has become.
Fans might be bummed not to see their favorites, but honestly, that’s just the reality of college sports and digital media right now. Is this the new normal? Maybe. Only time will tell.
Looking Ahead
EA Sports has plenty of challenges ahead. It’ll be fascinating to watch how the next editions of the game change—or don’t.
Will they actually meet the financial expectations of coaches and players? Maybe, but the whole digital likeness debate seems far from settled.
If you want more details or the latest updates, check out On3’s comprehensive coverage.
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