The founder of Popov Investments, Anton Popov, is a first-generation American — the son of immigrants from Russia and Ukraine. He played six years of college football: four at Barton College (D2, wide receiver and punt returner), one at Catawba College (D2, receiver and kick/punt returner), and a semester at Warner University (NAIA, receiver, strong safety, free safety, and returner).
He finished his senior year switching to safety, played six games on defense, and earned an invite to the FCS National Bowl as a safety and punt returner. From there he was invited to the FBS Tropical Bowl as an “Athlete,” competing against ACC, SEC and Big Ten talent, where he earned NFL CBS Sports Standout Wide Receiver as a Division II player — bouncing between outside receiver, slot, running back, and punt returner.
Anton participated in North Carolina State’s Pro Day on March 25th, 2025. Out of 50 prospects, he was one of a handful of Division II players in a room full of Division I talent, in front of 32 scouts representing NFL and CFL organizations. Forty-four players were sent home before testing wrapped. Anton was one of six asked to stay for a private workout.
“There was no script or guarantee when they sent those kids home and took me through a private workout. It was just the moment. When uncertainty is highest, the pressure should fade — not fuel you, not scare you, but fade. And it all comes down to: how well did you prepare yourself? I had been preparing myself for years.
Coming from a small school, I was blessed to be in a room full of athletes who were ACC All-Americans. But to be honest, none of that rah-rah matters. You just have to believe in yourself.
When the moment comes, the noise disappears. What’s left is what was built in private, when no one was watching. That day didn’t produce a contract, but it produced something more durable: the ability to walk into any high-stakes room calm, prepared, and clear-minded.”
— Anton Popov
In the months that followed, several NFL and CFL teams stayed in constant communication with Anton and his agent — ongoing conversations, workouts, and interest that never turned into a contract. He stepped into real estate investments and the business world, and hasn’t looked back. He continues working out and staying in shape while pursuing professional opportunities, training others, giving back to the game, and focusing on building a generational empire through real estate. The arena changed. The principles of life didn’t.
