This isn’t just an advisory board - it’s our
inner circle.

AFI is backed by a tight group of former pros, elite coaches, and mindset experts who’ve lived the journey from youth ball to the league. They know what it takes — because they’ve done it, coached it, and now shape how we develop the next generation.

From the field to the film room, from family dynamics to future planning, these are the people behind the system. They don’t just support the mission — they help build it.

JuJu
Smith - Schuster

  • JuJu Smith-Schuster is a Super Bowl Champion, NFL wide receiver, and one of the most recognizable modern athletes in the game. From making history with the Pittsburgh Steelers as one of the youngest players to ever reach 2,500 receiving yards, to becoming a fan-favorite as one of the most marketable athletes in the league, JuJu brings a full-spectrum legacy to AFI.

    He didn’t just go pro — he built a brand, earned respect, and stayed authentic doing it. His game is sharp, his leadership is real, and his presence is unforgettable.

    At AFI, JuJu’s role goes beyond highlights. He mentors the next wave on how to perform when the lights are brightest, build a name with substance, and carry yourself like a professional — before the paycheck ever hits. He’s the example. The edge. The reminder that greatness is more than stats — it’s how you move through the world.

    • Super Bowl LVII Champion (2022) with the Kansas City Chiefs

    • Pro Bowl selection (2018) with the Pittsburgh Steelers

    • Named to the PFWA All‑Rookie Team (2017)

    • Youngest player in NFL history to reach 2,500 career receiving yards

    • 111 receptions for 1,426 yards and 7 TDs in 2018, ranking 5th in the NFL for yards

    • Longest reception (97 yards) set a Steelers franchise record

    • First‑Team All‑Pac‑12 (2015) during his time at USC

    • Career NFL Totals (as of end of 2024):

      • 448 receptions, 5,279 receiving yards, 34 touchdowns

VIANE
TALAMAIVAO

  • Viane Talamaivao is a nationally respected offensive line coach and former NFL lineman known for his precision, toughness, and ability to develop talent at the highest level. A former USC standout and 4-year starter, Viane has gone on to coach at multiple Power 5 programs — including Oregon and USC — and served as the Co-Offensive Line Coach at Stanford University.

    What separates Viane is his ability to teach the game from the inside out — both technically and mentally. He’s coached All-Pac-12 talent, mentored future first-rounders, and brings a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in the trenches long-term.

    At AFI, he helps shape the standard for line play — giving athletes the tools, mindset, and muscle memory to win battles and earn respect, snap after snap.

  • Playing Career

    • 4-star recruit, #1 offensive guard in California (2014 class)

    • Freshman All-American at USC (2014)

    • 37 career starts at USC (2014–2017)

    • Pac-12 Honorable Mention

    • Played in 3 bowl games: Rose Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Holiday Bowl

    • Part of USC teams that went 38–16 overall, 27–9 in Pac-12

    • Signed with the Seattle Seahawks and later Jacksonville Jaguars

    Coaching Career

    • Stanford UniversityCo-Offensive Line Coach

    • Northern Arizona – Offensive Line Coach

    • University of Oregon – Offensive Graduate Assistant

    • USC (Alma Mater) – Graduate Assistant ; Offensive Quality Control

    • Helped develop:

      • Austin Jackson (NFL 1st Round Pick, Dolphins)

      • Alijah Vera-Tucker (NFL 1st Round Pick, Jets & Morris Trophy Winner)

JACOB
TUIOTI - MARINER

  • Jacob Tuioti-Mariner is a former NFL defensive lineman who earned his place the hard way — undrafted, underestimated, and unshakable. After a standout career at UCLA, Jacob broke into the league with the Atlanta Falcons, where he became a core rotational player and culture-setter. He later suited up for the Steelers, bringing grit, consistency, and relentless effort to every snap.

    Jacob’s edge isn’t just physical — it’s mental. He’s a student of the game who made a career out of outworking guys with bigger names. At AFI, he helps build that same mindset in the next generation: one that’s resilient, coachable, and built for war.

    He teaches athletes how to show up with purpose, play with pride, and leave no doubt about who they are.

    • College – UCLA Bruins

      • 4-year player at UCLA (2014–2017)

      • Started 27 games

      • Recorded 104 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and 6 forced fumbles

      • Named Second-Team All-Pac-12 (2017)

      • Team captain senior year

      • Known for leadership, high motor, and play recognition

      • Invited to NFLPA Collegiate Bowl (2018)

      • Undrafted in 2018, signed by the Atlanta Falcons

      • Muliple years on Active roster

      • Played over 20+ regular season games with the Falcons

      • Later signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers

Soma
Vainuku

  • Soma Vainuku is a former USC fullback and NFL standout known for his punishing style of play, elite special teams impact, and respected leadership on and off the field. At USC, he played a key role in one of the most physical backfields in the country — paving the way for elite rushers while earning a reputation as a tone-setter.

    After college, Soma signed with the Houston Texans and later played for the Denver Broncos, where he made his mark as a core special teams player and versatile fullback.

    Soma brings rare value to AFI — teaching athletes how to embrace roles, bring fire to every rep, and earn their place through effort, physicality, and presence. He represents what it means to be all-in — whether you're the star, the protector, or the spark.

    • Notorious USC Fullback

    • Named USC Special Teams Player of the Year

    • Key lead blocker for future NFL backs like Buck Allen and Ronald Jones

    • Signed by Houston Texans

    • Later signed by Denver Broncos

    • Known for elite special teams contribution, toughness, and unselfish play

    • Highly respected for Polynesian leadership, humility, and locker room presence

Ainuu
Taua

  • Ainuu Taua is a former UCLA standout known for his physicality, versatility, and team-first mindset. A 4-star recruit out of Lompoc, CA, Ainuu was one of the top defensive linemen on the West Coast - turning down offers from USC, Alabama, Oregon, and Washington to play for the Bruins.

    At UCLA, he carved out a unique role across the defensive line, short-yardage offense, and special teams - earning respect for his grit, football IQ, and willingness to do whatever the team needed. He appeared in 30+ games over four seasons, making his mark not just through stats, but through consistency, toughness, and execution.

    At AFI, Ainuu helps young athletes understand that role players are difference-makers - and the ones who master their job are the ones who stay on the field. He builds mindset, position versatility, and pride in the work that doesn’t always show up on highlight reels - but wins games.

    • 4-star recruit ranked in the ESPN 300 (#5 DT in the West)

    • Signed with UCLA over offers from USC, Alabama, Ole Miss, Oregon, and Washington

    • Played multiple positions: nose tackle, fullback, and special teams

    • Appeared in 30+ games over four seasons in the Pac-12

    • Known for his high motor, film room focus, and quiet leadership

    • Delivered key plays in games vs. Washington, Stanford, and Arizona

    • Recognized by coaches for his selfless mindset and physicality in the trenches

    What He Brings to AFI

    • Versatility and position-flexible development

    • Mentorship on embracing roles and earning time through effort

    • Grounded leadership rooted in toughness, humility, and preparation

    • Trench mentality: do your job, do it well, and let your tape talk

Brianna
Mama

  • Brianna Mama is the strategic backbone of AFI Athletics Club — blending a degree in psychology, generational sports insight, and elite-level structure to help shape the emotional and mental side of athlete development. As the daughter of a 5x NBA All-Star and wife to a former NFL lineman, Brianna has lived her entire life inside the high-pressure world of elite sports. That experience fuels her mission to build what so many programs overlook — the foundation behind the athlete.

    At AFI, Brianna designs systems that strengthen the full picture: mindset, mental resilience, family expectations, and support structures that help athletes go farther and stay grounded. She ensures that AFI builds not just better players — but better people, better leaders, and long-term legacy makers.

    • B.A. in Psychology from the University of Southern California (USC)

    • Graduated with departmental honors for academic excellence

    • Former USC Equestrian Team Athlete— competed in a sport that demands elite discipline, connection, and mental control

    • Daughter of a 5x NBA All-Star — raised inside a legacy of performance, pressure, and professionalism

    • Wife to Damien Mama, former NFL lineman and AFI founder

    • Over a decade of firsthand experience navigating the realities of elite athletic culture — from youth development to the pros

    • Focused on athlete EQ, mental performance, family systems, and emotional accountability

    • Co-architect of AFI’s holistic development model for athletes and their families

FORGED. Focused. FEARED.