Barely Famous Podcast

Episode: Turning Setbacks Into Startups with Debo Williams

Host: Kail Lowry
Guest: Debo Williams
Date: November 21, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of Barely Famous, host Kail Lowry sits down with athlete-turned-entrepreneur Debo Williams. The conversation dives into Debo's journey from being an under-recruited football player in Delaware to playing at the University of South Carolina, his experiences navigating the college football recruitment system, the realities of going undrafted in the NFL, and his pivot to founding the "Spender Hotline" app. The interview is candid, motivational, and packed with insights on persistence, seizing opportunity, and redefining success after setbacks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Debo’s Background and Early Athletic Career

• Born and raised in Delaware, attended Smyrna High School.
• Nicknamed "Debo" after the intimidating character in the movie Friday, because of his aggressive playing style on the field (03:00).
• Youth sports were ingrained in his family—his dad, uncles, and many relatives played football.
• Early ambition: "I was just kind of always taught to be the best. So every single thing I try to do, just always try to dominate it." – Debo (03:00)

2. Navigating Youth Football and Recruitment

• Family wrestled with safety concerns surrounding tackle football, particularly CTE (03:49).
• Debo started as an inside linebacker at age 5 and played that position through college.
• Under-recruited in high school; lacked exposure and relied on self-promotion through platforms like Hudl, camps, and persistent outreach to coaches on social media (06:08).

"I was severely under recruited and severely doubted...so I didn't have much help. I was posting as much as I could, trying to get coaches to see it...sending them my highlights on Twitter, Instagram, wherever I could find them." – Debo (06:08)

• Most big schools want athletes with certain physical traits, which disadvantages those outside recruiting norms (07:48).
• Eventually accepted a full-ride scholarship to the University of Delaware.

3. Making "The Leap": From Delaware to South Carolina

• COVID canceled Delaware’s football season; meanwhile, bigger schools were still playing.
• Close friend Marshawn Lloyd, at South Carolina, put Debo in touch with coaches. Debo entered the transfer portal, risking his scholarship for a bigger opportunity (09:34).
• South Carolina offered him a full ride shortly after; family initially uncomfortable, but Debo trusted his intuition to chase his bigger goals (16:36).

“This is my first true grown man move. And it’s like, I seen something for myself that I got to take this opportunity now...” – Debo (17:06)
“Once they got to South Carolina, they fell in love... it was like, okay, he might have made the right decision.” – Debo (17:26)

4. Culture Shock & Competition at a Power Five School

• Noted huge leap in competitiveness and talent at South Carolina—“alpha on top of alpha” environment (15:30).
• Had to fight for starting time; made early impact on special teams by breaking a school record in his first game (19:45).
• Discussed the balancing act between brotherhood with teammates and fierce internal competition for NFL spots (20:16).

"Every year, them coaches are bringing in players to take your spot because their job is on the line. You gotta be at the best of your game at all times." – Debo (20:02)

5. Turning Point & NFL Aspirations

• Standout games against Missouri (10 tackles) and Florida (two sacks on Anthony Richardson, now with the Colts) boosted Debo’s NFL prospects (21:49).
• Transitioned from being a key college player to free agency after going undrafted, continuing to train and stay ready for opportunities (23:00).

6. Embracing Setbacks & Pivoting to Entrepreneurship

• Post-NFL draft, began focusing on entrepreneurship. Created Spender Hotline, inspired post-Steelers minicamp while sitting on his friend’s couch (28:07).

“I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur but I thought I would go into real estate...then ideas just started coming, as far as my logos, the name...It was like the Holy Spirit was over me.” – Debo (28:33)

• Spender Hotline aims to connect people seeking advice or knowledge to real people via paid consultations—“the biggest hotline in the world” (24:54, 62:37).
• Sees the app as a way to give jobs to people in all markets, foster entrepreneurship for himself and others, and offer a tech alternative to AI-generated advice (25:55, 64:09).

"This is for every market. When you think of Amazon, Amazon has every market on it. My app, my hotline, you can talk about anything on there." – Debo (25:55)

7. The Importance of Multiple Avenues and Financial Literacy

• Reflects on the pitfalls of professional sports: NFL can mean “Not For Long,” and financial windfalls don’t last without planning (31:19, 58:32).
• Highlights the double-edged sword of the new NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals: helpful for some, dangerous without education and support (57:05).

“NFL truly stands for not for long. Yes, everybody can’t be Pat Mahomes...so you might make a mil or two, but that doesn't always last.” – Debo (31:19)

8. Youth Sports, Parenting, and the Drive to Succeed

• Candid discussion about the current culture of intensive youth sports and parental involvement; Debo credits his parents with balanced and motivational support (35:26).
• Emphasizes not all kids need early hyper-specialization; mentality and dedication are as important as natural gifts (41:51, 45:35).
• Shares background of being raised by teen parents who had to learn along the way alongside him (43:52), adding another layer to his perspective on opportunity and perseverance.

"If it was easy, everybody would do it." – Debo quoting his father’s favorite mantra (32:51)

9. Social Media’s Impact on College Sports

• Social media is a double-edged sword for athletes: opportunity to build a brand and generate new income, but also a source of pressure and potential negativity (61:14).

“You got kids that would be depressed...you’ll have fans going crazy on you, talking crazy. It can toughen you, or it can crumble you.” – Debo (61:14)

10. Future Plans & Final Takeaways

• Debo expresses faith and confidence in Spender Hotline’s growth and his ability to inspire young athletes—especially black and brown youth—that there are multiple paths to success, not just athletics (29:15, 62:37, 64:09).

“You just have to put the work in, the time, and the effort.” – Debo (64:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Believing in Yourself:
  “I believed in myself enough to do it, but most of the time, when people take that jump, they end up going back down because they just can’t handle it.” (19:45)

• On Entrepreneurship After Sports:
  “I feel like I got a chance to make such a bigger impact and change a lot of people’s lives...I could do that in coaching, but I’d rather do it worldwide to what I’m about to do right now.” (61:12)

• On Persistence & Asking For Help:
  “You can’t be afraid to just ask people...don’t ask for handouts, but ask for resources.” (30:58)

• On Accepting Setbacks:
  “As soon as you accept that life isn’t fair, the better off you’ll be.” (55:17)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:17] – How Debo got his nickname
• [06:08] – The recruiting process and being overlooked
• [09:34] – The leap from University of Delaware to South Carolina
• [15:30] – Adjusting to Power Five school culture
• [19:45] – First big college gameplay moments
• [23:49] – Introduction of Spender Hotline and its concept
• [28:07] – Birth of entrepreneurial focus post-NFL setback
• [35:26] – Parental involvement in youth sports
• [41:51] – Advice for parents of “mediocre” youth athletes
• [46:39] – The process of declaring for the NFL Draft
• [50:33] – Experience of going undrafted, dealing with NFL politics
• [57:05] – Discussion of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and athlete compensation
• [61:14] – The complex impact of social media on athletes
• [62:37] – Debo’s vision for Spender Hotline & future plans

Where to Find Debo Williams and Spender Hotline

• Instagram: @teamdebo0
• TikTok: @teamdebo0
• Twitter: @DeboWilliams
• Spender Hotline: [App Store] / spenderhotline.com

Final Thoughts

This episode is a raw, motivational look at what it means to reinvent yourself after disappointment, the realities behind the glitz of student-athlete life, and the power of channeling setbacks into entrepreneurial impact. Debo’s perspective is a call to pursue your purpose boldly, ask for help and resources, and always keep creating new avenues—on or off the field.