EA Sports College Football 26: New video game includes players from Volusia-Flagler area

LJ McCray, Maverick Baranowski and Co. received a raise.

Yes, the Florida defensive end from Mainland, the Minnesota linebacker from Spruce Creek and the handful of other Volusia-Flagler natives that appeared in EA Sports College Football 25 got paid. Each earned $600.

But this year, each player who approved the use of their name, image and likeness for College Football 26 pocketed $1,500. They also got a free copy of the video game so they can play as themselves.

The title's early-access window opened July 7, with the full release set for July 10. It's the second edition of the game since it returned after an 11-year hiatus last summer. It can be played on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Several locals granted EA Sports permission to put them in the game. Here's the list, plus their ratings. The rosters will be updated throughout the upcoming season.

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Maverick Baranowski, Minnesota

• High school: Spruce Creek
• Position: MIKE linebacker
• Year: Junior
• Overall rating: 78
• Best attribute (non-injury, toughness or stamina): 87 hit power and 87 pursuit

Ashton Bracewell, Florida State

• High school: Flagler Palm Coast
• Position: SAM linebacker
• Year: Freshman
• Overall rating: 53
• Best attribute: 85 acceleration

Mac Chiumento, Florida State

• High school: Seabreeze
• Position: Punter
• Year: Junior
• Overall rating: 71
• Best attribute: 88 kick power

Rodney Hill, South Florida

• High school: Flagler Palm Coast for three years, Mainland for one
• Position: MIKE linebacker
• Year: Sophomore
• Overall rating: 67
• Best attribute: 91 acceleration

Christian Hudson, Colorado

• High school: Mainland
• Position: Defensive tackle
• Year: Freshman
• Overall rating: 69
• Best attribute: 83 acceleration

Ben Knox, South Florida

• High school: DeLand
• Position: Cornerback
• Year: Senior
• Overall rating: 74
• Best attribute: 87 acceleration and 87 jumping

LJ McCray, Florida

• High school: Mainland
• Position: Right EDGE
• Year: Sophomore
• Overall rating: 82
• Best attribute: 90 strength

Zavier Mincey, Alabama

• High school: Mainland
• Position: Free safety
• Year: Sophomore
• Overall rating: 79
• Best attribute: 94 acceleration

Derry Norris Jr., Georgia Tech

• High school: Spruce Creek
• Position: Right EDGE
• Year: Freshman
• Overall rating: 69
• Best attribute: 83 hit power

Rex Robich, Western Kentucky

• High school: Matanzas
• Position: Tight end
• Year: Senior
• Overall rating: 50
• Best attribute: 88 long snap

E'Zaiah Shine, Tulane

• High school: Mainland
• Position: Cornerback
• Year: Freshman
• Overall rating: 67
• Best attribute: 91 acceleration

Noble Thomas Jr., Oregon State

• High school: University
• Position: Cornerback
• Year: Junior
• Overall rating: 77
• Best attribute: 91 speed and 91 acceleration

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: EA College Football 26: Volusia-Flagler players in new video game