Three of the country’s top football players provide their unique perspectives on navigating NIL in a conversation with former professional football player Brandon Spikes.
In this episode of NIL Real Talk, former NFL star Brandon Spikes sits down with top Division I football athletes — Francis Mauigoa, Keldric Faulk, and Austin Barber — for an unfiltered look at navigating the world of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness). Topics of the conversation include:
[0:16 – 4:39] When they realized they were building personal brands
[7:26 – 10:32] How they manage NIL deals without losing focus on the game
[10:34 – 12:42] Money lessons every student-athlete should know
[12:43 – 14:17] Their biggest NIL wins (and mistakes)
[14:19 – 15:52] Advice for the next generation of college athletes
Whether you’re an athlete, a fan, or just curious about the new era of college sports, this episode is packed with game-changing insights.
About the Guests
Austin Barber is a fifth-year OL at the University of Florida. Barber was named to the 2025 Outland Trophy Watchlist, which honors the top interior lineman in the country, and is a four-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Keldric Faulk is a junior DE at Auburn University. Faulk has been a consistent starter for the Tigers over his three-year career and is a member of the 2025 SEC Football Leadership Council.
Francis Mauigoa is a junior OL at the University of Miami. As an All-ACC honoree, Mauigoa helped lead the Hurricanes’ offense last season, which was ranked No. 1 in the country in both points and yards per game.
