The buzz surrounding the latest edition of EA Sports’ “College Football” video game took an unexpected turn when Kentucky Wildcats punter Aidan Laros found himself at the center of a social media storm. The game, which made a triumphant return last year after an 11-year hiatus, resurrected college football excitement with its cover stars, Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers, Colorado Buffaloes’ versatile Travis Hunter, and Michigan’s dynamic running back Donovan Edwards.
Yet, it wasn’t the cover athletes stealing the spotlight this time. The curious rating of Aidan Laros ignited discussion when CFB Kings on X (formerly Twitter) pointed out that, despite being handed a respectable overall rating of 77, Laros was given a “zero” in the toughness category. It’s the kind of bizarre oversight that’s hard not to notice and even harder to stay silent about.
Barstool Sports had quite the field day with this, humorously suggesting Laros might consider challenging every opponent this year just to prove the game wrong. Laros wasn’t about to let this slight slide by quietly; he took to social media with a playful call-out, telling Barstool to “tag” him more explicitly in their posts.
It’s hard to tell if the zero toughness was a defining opinion from EA Sports’ developers or just an amusing misstep. But if you’re on the fence about punters and toughness, better dive into the dialogue online. Laros’ journey from the University of Tennessee at Martin to Kentucky showcases his solid play – with a notable 45.4-yard average per punt in 2024 and a reliable kicking game where he made 10 of 16 field goals for the Skyhawks in the previous year.
Looking ahead, Aidan Laros and the Wildcats are eager to shake off last season’s disappointing 4-8 finish. Their campaign kicks off against the Toledo Rockets on August 30th at Kroger Field. It’s more than just a game; it’s a chance to set the tone for a season of redemption. Following Toledo, Kentucky will remain at home to take on a formidable Ole Miss squad on September 6th – a match-up that’s sure to test every ounce of toughness Laros can muster, zero rating or not.
