Who is Jayson Ball? A deep-dive into the Ohio State digital running back
Who is the fictitious Ohio State running back?
If you're anything like me, you look forward to the annual release of the latest college football video game. Formerly known as EA Sports College Football [Insert Year], the game was a pop culture staple until 2014, when NIL issues led to the series being shelved indefinitely.
Last summer, the franchise made its long-awaited return to store shelves, and the reception was nothing short of electric. College Football 25 became the best-selling sports game of 2024, even outpacing perennial heavyweights like Call of Duty and NBA 2K.
Now it’s back with the latest installment, College Football 26, and as a proud Columbus resident, it feels like my civic duty to pick up the sticks and run it back with Head Coach Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
One thing caught my eye during my six-hour early access session on Monday: a mysterious player named Jayson Ball on the Buckeyes’ roster.
Now, I wouldn’t call myself a Buckeye diehard (I’ll leave that to most of Columbus), but I do keep tabs on major recruits. I’m familiar with five-star talents like Tavien St. Clair—but this Ball guy? I had never heard of him. Intrigued, I did what any good digital athletic director would do: I Googled him.
The results were... amusing. But one link kept popping up—a Columbus Dispatch article asking the same question I was: Who is Jayson Ball?
Turns out, Jayson Ball doesn’t exist. (Insert comically audible gasp.)
He’s one of nine fictional players on Ohio State’s digital roster. What’s even more fascinating is that many of the Buckeyes’ real-life incoming freshmen are nowhere to be found in the game, at least at launch.
According to the Dispatch, there might not be a simple explanation. The most likely scenario? These players didn’t opt into the game’s NIL agreement, which offered each player a $1,500 payment and a deluxe edition of the game.
If your favorite freshman isn't in the game yet, don’t panic. EA has already patched in high-profile players like Texas quarterback Arch Manning post-release, so there’s hope others will follow.
Despite those missing names, College Football 25 gives Buckeye fans plenty to celebrate. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (98 overall) and safety Caleb Downs (96 overall) are absolute beasts on the digital gridiron—more than enough to help you chase another national title.
Enjoy a clip below of me actually scoring a touchdown with the Buckeye wideout.
Now that the game is out, will you be picking it up?