[1] He played college football for the Florida Gators, was recognized as a consensus All-American twice and was a member of two BCS National Championship teams.

Spikes saw limited action in 2006, playing in nine games and recording 15 tackles as the backup to Brandon Siler.

In an October 31, 2009, game, Spikes was involved in an incident where he attempted to gouge the eyes of Georgia's Washaun Ealey.

[11] As a senior team captain, he was one of three finalists for the 2009 Chuck Bednarik Award, a finalist for the 2009 Butkus Award, a first-team All-SEC selection, and a consensus All-American, receiving first-team honors from The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation and second-team honors from the Associated Press.

[15] Spikes quickly became a starter at inside linebacker in the Patriots 3–4 defense, alongside Jerod Mayo.

Spikes recorded his first career interception in a Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.

[17] The same day, Spikes released the following statement: "I've been contacted by the NFL and informed that I will be suspended four games for the detection of an illegal substance in a drug test.

[22] On September 12, 2014, Spikes was fined $8,268 for a late hit on Chicago Bears wide receiver Santonio Holmes.

[24] Massachusetts State Police cited Spikes on June 12, 2015, for leaving a scene of an accident with injury, driving negligently, and failing to stay within marked lanes.

[26] As a child, Spikes was raised by his brother, Breyon Middlebrooks, while their mother, Sherry Allen, worked 12-hour days at a fiberglass plant.

In 2003, Middlebrooks was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, the result of a drug deal in 2001.

[27] Lela Woods, with whom he shares a daughter, both appeared on Oxygen's special on his Florida teammate Aaron Hernandez.