Braden Fiske has yet to sign his first NFL contract, but he’s as financially responsible as any veteran player you’ll find.
The 24-year-old defensive tackle made headlines during the NFL Combine for his standout performance in Indianapolis. Fiske — who is actually from Michigan City, Indiana — led all defensive tackles in major Combine categories such as the 40-yard dash, broad jump and vertical jump while tying for first in the 20-yard shuttle.
While it’s clear Fiske boosted his draft stock in a tremendous way — he’s now projected to be a second-round pick and could possibly go late in the first round — he’s also making notable waves off of the field with how he manages his money.
Although Fiske may not be a household name the way other top prospects such as Caleb Williams is, the 6-foot-4 defensive tackle earned a solid amount from NIL pay and has already invested over six figures into a brokerage account.
“One of the first things I ever did was open up a Roth IRA,” Fiske explained during a one-on-one interview. “I really didn’t know what it meant, but it sounded like a good idea. And this is when I was young, I was probably 20 years old. That was kind of the beginning. Then I started getting more interested. So I started reading or watching podcasts, read a couple of books, just getting good ideas of what to do.”
Fiske explains his family members’ influence — his grandfather and his uncle — led him to a greater understanding of financial investing.
“Investing is just saving,” says Fiske. “Managing my money is something I’ve always kind of been intrigued by. I’ve talked about it before, my uncle was a stockbroker and that was my first insight, different ways money can be utilized.”
The Associated Press Third Team All-American selection details some of the different ways he’s invested his money — all before playing a single snap in the NFL.
“I have a few different portfolios that I contribute to, different index funds I use,” says Fiske. “I have a money managed mutual fund that I have and obviously the Roth IRA I still contribute to and a few more interests down the line once I sign a contract.”
The money-savvy Fiske actually recently traveled to New York, where he visited the New York Stock Exchange and appeared on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football.” Fiske says that the experience of being able to network along with meeting people that know more than him is what made the visit so beneficial.
Fiske explains there were points during his college career — he attended Western Michigan between 2018 and 2022 before transferring to FSU for his final season — where he only had $20 to his name.
“Just working with money is something that is very important, that a lot of people don’t utilize it,” Fiske says of people when it comes to their money. “You’re not really taught how to use money when you’re going to school and I realized when I got to college, there were points in my college career, I had like $20 to my name. This is just criminal. Once I realized, maybe we should start being smarter with this, it’s fun.”
With NIL rules going into effect since 2021, college athletes have more freedom and control than ever before. Student athletes are able to earn money off of their likeness, which has made college sports an even bigger business than ever before.
Prior to the NIL era, the money was mainly earned by top-ranking college executives and head coaches. Now, the players are finally cashing in. According to ON3, the top 10 NIL earners have a valuation of over $28 million combined, with NBA great LeBron James’ son, Bronny, having the top valuation at $4.9 million.
Fiske — who entered the college ranks before NIL was in place — explains what a “great opportunity” it is for college star athletes.
“It’s great, for sure,” says Fiske. “Early on in my career, I had no idea because NIL wasn’t a thing. You hear the stories of guys getting paid in these big schools, but you never really know what’s going on. I hadn’t touched any type of money like that until I got to FSU. I think NIL is a great opportunity.”
While Fiske admits it’s great for college athletes to earn money and capitalize off of their accomplishments, he does believe there needs to be some control over the new rules.
“Do I think there needs to be more control over it? Sure,” says Fiske. “I think it’s a little bit of the wild west right now for how it’s managed. How much is being thrown around and how people are able to persuade kids just based off of dollar amounts. Kids don’t really see the true insight of what these people are trying to do with them.”
Former University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban recently spoke at a Capitol Hill NIL roundtable to discuss the future of college athletics when it relates to recent major changes such as NIL and the transfer portal. Saban – a seven-time national champion head coach – admitted the changing landscape of college sports played a role in him retiring.
Saban attributed how many college athletes these days only care about how much money you’re going to pay them rather than how you’re going to develop players to help them be more successful in life.
Fiske doubled down on the belief that there will eventually be some rules put into place of a more structured environment in the NIL era.
“I would imagine so,” says Fiske. “I’m sure some players and higher-ups that are kind of tired of the system that’s in place. Because there’s really no rules to it. It’s basically kind of whatever you want to do, a lot of it’s under the table. Sure, contracts are signed, but who knows what’s being said over the phone or in person when kids come on campus? I imagine there will be some rules put in place. What those rules are going to be, I have absolutely no idea because it seems to be an absolute mess right now.”
While Fiske believes there needs to be some rules put into place in the NIL era, he reiterates how beneficial NIL is for college athletes.
“I think it is a great opportunity because I was able to come down here (to Tallahassee at FSU) and live pretty comfortably,” says Fiske. “I was able to invest some money, help my family out with whatever means. And I think it’s a great opportunity for you to learn how to manage money, but it’s also a good lesson for kids. This money doesn’t last forever. It becomes a good life lesson.”
And while Fiske is projected to be drafted in the second round and earn millions in the process – he can sign an $8 million deal across four years for a signing bonus of $2.7 million as a second-round pick – he isn’t planning any major purchases.
“First purchase, I said car in the past,” says Fiske. “I don’t know, I really am cool with the car I have, I drive a Honda Accord. I probably do need to upgrade, but I’m really not a big spender. I don’t need to spend the money, I try not to.”
However, there is one thing that Fiske – a self-professed sneakerhead – probably will splurge on.
“I’m definitely going to get some more shoes,” says Fiske.