From Playbook to Payday with Former Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett

Building Your Athletic Resume with Darius Willis, Founder & CEO of ScoutSync

Discover how Darius Willis, former college athlete and founder of Scout Sync, is transforming the recruiting landscape by leveraging global exposure and technology. This episode delves into the realities of athlete recruitment, NIL's evolution, and innovative solutions for underserved athletes. About Darius Darius Willis is a former Under Armour All-American, D1 running back at Indiana University, and NFL tryout veteran who went on to coach the Swiss National Football Team as Offensive Coordinator. Over a 14-year coaching career spanning high school through international play, he's helped more than 1,000 athletes secure scholarships, contracts, and draft placements — and that experience exposed a broken recruiting system that leaves talented players behind every day. It's what drove him to found ScoutSync, an AI-powered platform connecting athletes with opportunities worldwide, and to build dariuswillis.com [http://dariuswillis.com], where he offers training, recruiting consulting, and sports tech advisory services. A 2026 Mira Awards Finalist for Rising Entrepreneur of the Year and 2025 High School Football Hall of Fame inductee, Darius is one of the few people in sports who has competed, coached, recruited, and built the technology to change how it all works. Timestamps 00:00 - Darius Willis’ background: From Indiana football star to founder 01:12 - Early recruiting process: Traveling, letters, and family pride 02:09 - Benefits of early exposure and competitive confidence 03:00 - First Under Armour All-American Bowl experience and lessons learned 04:23 - Misunderstandings about the current recruiting landscape 05:33 - How Scout Sync bridges athlete exposure gaps locally and globally 06:39 - Common mistakes athletes make: Lack of proactivity in recruitment 08:13 - Unique features of Scout Sync’s transparent, ecosystem-driven platform 09:51 - The evolving NIL landscape at high school and college levels 11:04 - The effect of NIL on opportunities, pressure, and family guidance 12:15 - Building social media presence: Focus and strategy for young athletes 13:24 - Overlooked athletes: International and non-revenue sport players 14:22 - How Scout Sync supports athletes worldwide regardless of sport 15:30 - Lessons learned in entrepreneurship from sports to tech 16:28 - Future outlook: Structure, regulation, and inclusion in NIL and recruitment 17:46 - International athletes' increasing access to NIL opportunities 18:04 - Connecting with Darius: Scout Sync platforms and future initiatives Connect with Darius Scout Sync [https://scoutsync.com/] Darius Willis on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darius-willis/] Follow Brian Davidson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrdavidson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrdavidson/] GET STARTED WITH NIL If you're navigating NIL or supporting a student-athlete, understanding branding and strategy early can make a major difference in long-term success. Make sure to get started for free at nilgameplan.com [http://nilgameplan.com]

From Athlete to Attorney with Mitch Gilfillan, NIL Leader & Attorney at Law

In this in-depth interview, Mitch Gilfillan shares his unique journey from college athlete to coach and attorney, providing expert insights into NIL, college sports law, and athlete branding. Discover how recent changes in college athletics impact athletes, families, and universities, and learn practical advice for navigating this evolving landscape. About Mitch: Mitch Gilfillan is a nationally recognized attorney and trusted voice in college sports and NIL law. A former Division I basketball player who competed in the NCAA March Madness Tournament, Mitch combines firsthand athletic experience with his legal work advising athletes, families, universities, and organizations on NIL opportunities, athlete branding, endorsement agreements, and the evolving landscape of college athletics. As a partner at Quinn Johnston, Mitch is a sought-after speaker on the intersection of sports and law, presenting at major universities, national conferences, and the NCAA Final Four. He has also consulted for the NBA Players Association and has been featured by ESPN, CBS, Sports Illustrated, and the New York Post for his expertise in college basketball and NIL-related issues.  Timestamps  00:00 Introduction to Mitch Gilfillan and his background  01:15 Mitch's journey as a college athlete and recruiting story 02:07 Transition from playing to coaching in college basketball 02:32 Pursuing law and the intersection with sports 03:11 The emergence of NIL and its origins 04:06 How Mitch's experience shapes his advice to athletes 05:20 The long-term perspective on college sports decisions 07:04 The rapid evolution of NIL since 2021 09:14 Legal advice for high-end NIL deals and tax considerations 12:13 Difference between revenue share and true NIL endorsement 15:06 Opportunities for non-revenue sports athletes 15:54 Building athlete branding from a young age 17:36 Legal considerations for starting an LLC early 19:06 Mitch's role with the NBA and athlete education 21:26 Lessons learned from advising top athletes 22:53 Where to find Mitch Gilfillan online  Resources Mitch Gilfillan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchgilfillan/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchgilfillan/] Gilfillan on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gilfillin21/ [https://www.instagram.com/gilfillin21/] Follow Brian Davidson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrdavidson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrdavidson/] Get Started with NIL If you're navigating NIL or supporting a student-athlete, understanding branding and strategy early can make a major difference in long-term success. Make sure to get started for free at nilgameplan.com [http://nilgameplan.com]

Courtside Counsel: NIL and Sports Law with Sports Attorney Jeremy Evans

In this episode, Jeremy Evans, founder of California Sports Lawyer, dives into the complexities and legal nuances surrounding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights, college sports structure, and the evolving legislation across states. If you're interested in how legal, educational, and industry shifts are shaping sports, this conversation is essential listening. Timestamps * (00:02) Jeremy Evans’ background and how he got into sports law * (01:21) Transition from traditional legal careers to sports and entertainment law * (02:44) The influence of baseball arbitration competitions on Jeremy’s passion for sports law * (04:07) The importance of entrepreneurs being naive and learning as they go * (06:40) What holistic representation for athletes should include * (07:01) When families should start building their NIL team * (09:09) Legal considerations for high school athletes involved in NIL * (10:20) Key clauses in NIL agreements: payment, obligations, duration * (12:23) How state laws are evolving and their implications * (14:56) Structural issues in college sports: transfer portal, athletic payments, and policy reforms * (17:36) NIL’s impact on non-revenue sports and university funding * (19:12) State legislation responses and future legislative directions * (20:47) The implications of NIL creeping into high school sports * (23:28) The future of NCAA regulation and potential for organized oversight Connect with Jeremy Evans: California Sports Lawyer Website [https://cslego.com/] Follow Brian Davidson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrdavidson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrdavidson/] GET STARTED WITH NIL If you're navigating NIL or supporting a student-athlete, understanding branding and strategy early can make a major difference in long-term success. Make sure to get started for free at nilgameplan.com [http://nilgameplan.com]

From Playbook to Payday with Former Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett

In this episode of NIL Spotlight, Tom Burnett shares his journey through college athletics, the seismic shifts brought by NIL, and practical advice for student athletes and families navigating this complex landscape. Discover how NIL and revenue sharing are transforming recruiting, legal considerations, and the importance of financial literacy. Timestamps 00:00 The Journey into College Athletics 03:03 The Impact of NIL on College Sports 05:59 Navigating State-Specific Laws and Regulations 08:39 The Role of Agents in NIL 11:20 Recruiting in the Age of NIL 14:21 Financial Literacy for Student Athletes 16:58 The Future of College Athletics 19:40 Final Thoughts and Resources for Families About Tom Burnett- Tom Burnett is a veteran collegiate athletics leader and former Southland Conference commissioner, where he served for nearly two decades as the league’s longest-tenured leader. He now continues to support the conference as a senior consultant, bringing more than 30 years of experience in athletic administration. Throughout his career, he has played key roles on numerous NCAA committees, including serving as chair of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee overseeing March Madness. Burnett is widely recognized for expanding media exposure, strengthening conference operations, and leaving a lasting impact on college athletics at both the conference and national levels. Resources- Tom Burnett's Website - https://www.tomburnett.com [https://www.tomburnett.com] NIL for Texas Parents Book - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0XXXXXX [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0XXXXXX] Second Book by Tom Burnett - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0XXXXXX [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0XXXXXX] Website - https://www.tomburnett.com [https://www.tomburnett.com] Follow Brian Davidson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrdavidson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrdavidson/] GET STARTED WITH NIL If you're navigating NIL or supporting a student-athlete, understanding branding and strategy early can make a major difference in long-term success. Make sure to get started for free at nilgameplan.com [http://nilgameplan.com]

The 40-Year Decision: Mastering Recruiting and NIL with Chris Krause, founder of NCSA Recruiting

In this episode, Chris Krause, founder of NCSA College Recruiting and former Vanderbilt football player, shares how he’s helped reshape the path for student-athletes pursuing college opportunities. He breaks down recruiting, NIL, social media, leadership, and entrepreneurship, emphasizing family, realism, and responsible decision-making. Chris also reminds athletes that choosing a school isn’t just a four-year decision, but a forty-year one. Key Takeaways -Recruiting is a family decision and requires honest, realistic conversations -Understanding a coach’s role and priorities is critical in the recruiting process -Social media can significantly impact opportunities, positively or negatively -NIL and college athletics are evolving rapidly, creating new opportunities and risks -Leadership and entrepreneurship skills developed through sports have lifelong value -Choosing a college is a long-term life decision, not just a short-term commitment Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Chris Krause and NCSA 01:29 The Family Dynamic in Recruiting 05:16 Understanding the Role of Coaches 08:51 Common Mistakes in Recruiting 10:30 Evolution of College Athletics and NIL 13:19 The Impact of Social Media on Athletes 19:04 Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Sports 24:26 Legacy and Leadership Development About the Guest Chris Krause is the founder of NCSA College Recruiting and a former Vanderbilt University football player. He built NCSA into a leading platform connecting student-athletes with college programs, helping hundreds of thousands navigate the recruiting process and unlock opportunities through sports. Resources & Links NCSA College Recruiting: https://www.ncsasports.org/ [https://www.ncsasports.org/] Athletes Wanted (Book): https://www.amazon.com/Athletes-Wanted-How-Get-College/dp/ [https://www.amazon.com/Athletes-Wanted-How-Get-College/dp/]... Built to Win (Book): https://www.amazon.com/Built-Win-Leadership-Legacy-Transformation/dp/ [https://www.amazon.com/Built-Win-Leadership-Legacy-Transformation/dp/]... Chris Krause Leadership Symposium: https://vanderbilt.edu/leadership-symposium [https://vanderbilt.edu/leadership-symposium] Follow Chris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskrause/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskrause/] Twitter: https://twitter.com/chriskrause [https://twitter.com/chriskrause] Website: https://chriskrause.com/ [https://chriskrause.com/] Follow Brian Davidson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrdavidson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrdavidson/] GET STARTED WITH NIL If you're navigating NIL or supporting a student-athlete, understanding branding and strategy early can make a major difference in long-term success. Make sure to get started for free at nilgameplan.com [http://nilgameplan.com]