Each Wednesday, we feature an in-state prospect that could be flying under the radar of college coaches. This week's UTR prospect is Fort Smith Northside's Anthony Travis.
Class: 2019
Position: LB
Size: 6-2, 210
40 time: 4.75
College interest: Tulsa and Division II schools
Season stats: 30 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, interception return for a touchdown and 2 forced fumbles
Junior stats: 126 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 3 recovered fumbles, 2 forced fumbles
Coach Mike Falleur on Travis only playing basketball as a sophomore:
“He missed it. The first time he watched them play as a sophomore he missed being out there with his buddies, so he came out as a junior. We knew the first spring practice he was a football player because he was everywhere, and that’s exactly how he’s played since he’s been out here. He was our leading tackler as a junior.”
High motor and physical:
“He’s 900 miles per hour and very physical. He has no fear. He throws his body in there. Typically, when a guy thinks he’s a basketball player, you normally don’t see that.”
Limited time in the weight room because of basketball:
“He’s not been in the weight room. When he’s in there, he works his tail off. He leaves us and he goes to basketball and starts on our basketball team, so he’s not in there. He's really just in there during the summer and during football season.”
College potential:
“Because of maybe not being in the weight room as much, he’s probably underdeveloped physically for maybe Division I, but I think anything mid-level down because he’s only going to get better as he gets bigger and stronger. He’s one of those guys that’s no way near the top end. Nowhere near it.”
Fully qualified:
“He’s a very intelligent football player. You tell him something once and he’s got it down and knows what he’s doing.”
Very good instincts:
“He knows what’s going on, and he knows where the ball is. He has that knack.”