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Spillman brothers journey from West African orphanage to DI football
Brothers Edwin (left) and Nate Spillman have come a long way since living in a West African orphanage. They're now both highly-rated college football recruits. (Photo provided)

Spillman brothers journey from West African orphanage to DI football

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BVM) — On March 6, the Spillman family was gathered in the office of Josh Heupel, the head football coach at the University of Tennessee. During this meeting, Nate Spillman made his decision to stay in-state and attend college in Knoxville.

Nate, the 31st-best player in the state for the 2023 class, was able to live out the dream of accepting a football scholarship, while his brother, Edwin, the second-best player in the state for the 2024 class, was able to see what awaits him in his own future.

With the hand that the Spillman brothers were dealt, the chances of this moment happening were slim-to-none. But with luck, hard work and a good support system, the Spillmans have seized every opportunity placed in front of them.

The Spillman brothers were born in Sierra Leone, a country on the southwest coast of West Africa where 53% of the population makes less than $1.25 per day. There was never a thought of pursuing an education at an American university. 

This changed in 2013.

Nate and Edwin, who were 8 and 7 years old respectively at the time, were able to come to the United States through a missionary orphanage program.

Not too long after coming over, they quickly found a love for the game of football.

After finding out what the game was, they were begging their parents to sign them up for a flag league. Once they got a taste, they wanted more.

“I got to learn the game and we both just fell in love with playing flag,” Edwin said. “We loved it.”

This turned out to be the right decision as they are now stars for Lipscomb Academy in Nashville, Tennessee.

Nate’s ability to make big plays as a receiver and Edwin’s athleticism that makes him a tackling machine helped lead the Mustangs to a 27-0 state championship win.

As much as their talent stands out on the field, they depend on their head coach, Super Bowl-winning quarterback Trent Dilfer, in order to continue enhancing their game.

“He’s helped us a lot,” Nate said. “He’s taught me little things like how to learn playbooks and how to be a smart football player. He’s always been there and is always supporting us.”

Nate Spillman committed to the University of Tennessee on March 6. (Courtesy: @nathanspillman3/Twitter)

Dilfer has also been a big help off the field, giving guidance where he can to help optimize their future.

“He’s a real helpful coach we can lean on with recruiting and everything like that,” Edwin said. “With his experience with all of this recruiting stuff, he knows how it works and he’s been really helpful with that.”

With Nate prepping for his final year of high school and Edwin becoming a rising junior, they would love to repeat as state champions in 2022, despite having a target on their back. 

“I know a lot of teams are going to want to come at us because Lipscomb is the big team now,” Nate said. “We’re just gonna keep doing us and see where things take us.”

With Nate heading to Knoxville after his senior year, he’ll become the Volunteers’ lead recruiter for Edwin, but the brothers will ultimately leave his decision up to fate.

“I would love if Edwin would come to Tennessee and play with me,” Nate said. “But if things don’t happen the way we want them to, I think we will be fine with that. We’re just gonna leave it in God’s hands and see where he takes Edwin.”

Regardless of where Edwin goes, the accomplishments that the two brothers from Sierra Leone have already achieved, is something no one will ever be able to take away from them.

“Me and Nathan are just two kids from Africa,” Edwin said. “You’d probably never think we would get offers. We didn’t even know what that stuff was a few years back. Now, with the Lord, everybody is starting to notice and starting to recognize us.”