Jalen Travis ’24 declared for the NFL draft on Dec. 31 after four years at Princeton and one at Iowa State.
Travis had an illustrious career at Princeton. Despite the cancellation of his first-year season due to COVID-19, the offensive lineman made an impact over the next three years as a stalwart left tackle for a Princeton offense that was consistently on top of the Ivy League when it came to scoring and passing. In addition, Travis was a two-time All-Ivy Selection during his time with the Tigers.
“My Princeton football career helped me take the first step toward achieving my dream of playing football at the highest level, while allowing me the opportunity to continue to pursue my interests off the field,” Travis wrote to The Daily Princetonian. “Playing football at Princeton taught me many invaluable lessons, but perhaps its most profound impact came in the form of the Princeton football brotherhood that continues to be the backbone of my support as I continue to pursue the next steps in my football career.”
During his senior season, Travis missed time due to injury and was only able to start in six games. However, his impact was greater than just his play on the field. Travis was awarded the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup in 2024, an accolade that recognized his profound impact both as a player and a person.
The Citizenship Cup is awarded to six athletes annually, one male and one female each from high school, collegiate, and professional sports. The recipients are “athletes of excellence both on and off the field, role models both as performers and persons,” according to the award’s website. Travis was the fourth Ivy Leaguer — and first Princetonian — to ever win the award.
“Receiving the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup meant a lot to me,” Travis wrote. “To be recognized for using the mission of sports to leave an impact on this world alongside some of our nation’s most accomplished athletes was extremely humbling. Receiving the award put into perspective all the support I received from countless people in my life who have repeatedly affirmed my passions and interests both on the field and off.”
Travis’s nonprofit, The Just Action Coalition, gives back to his native state of Minnesota by promoting youth engagement in political advocacy. His work with the group, plus his strong character and outstanding play, helped secure him the recognition to receive the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup.
“The Just Action Coalition was able to effectively center the voice of non-voting age youth in conversations of community safety,” Travis explained to the ‘Prince.’ “Through our work with the Minnesota Board of Police Officers Standards and Training, we were able to effectively implement several of our organizational recommendations that centered on transparency, accountability, and communication.”
Travis’s off-the-field achievements did not go unnoticed at Princeton either. He was also awarded the prestigious Truman Scholarship, a grant that provides up to $30,000 dollars in funding for graduate school and offers professional development opportunities, toward the end of his junior year.
According to a University announcement on Travis’s recognition, he was “interested in pursuing a career in criminal or public interest law” at Columbia Law School through a two-year deferral program after spending time at a public defense firm and then a legal advocacy organization. Travis did not respond to a follow-up question about how he plans to fit his law school plans with his NFL dreams.
After finishing his senior season with the Tigers, Travis continued his collegiate career with the Iowa State Cyclones. The Cyclones went 11–3 overall and played in the Pop Tarts Bowl, defeating Heisman finalist Cam Ward and the 15th-ranked University of Miami Hurricanes 42–41. The experience playing for a Power 4 school against better competition has bolstered Travis’s draft stock, as he demonstrated his ability to compete at the FBS and hopefully professional level.
“Over the next few months, I will be training in preparation for the NFL Draft in Dallas, Texas,” Travis told the ‘Prince.’
Travis brings impressive size to the offensive tackle position, coming in at six feet seven inches and 340 pounds — enough length and strength to attract the attention of NFL scouts. His height lends itself well to blocking speedy pass rushers, and he is able to bring his weight to bear in the run game, plowing through defensive ends and linebackers.
Travis still needs to improve on certain technical aspects of the tackle position and will be seen as a developmental pick by any teams interested. However, Travis’s Ivy League pedigree and leadership and service recognition add a valuable angle for NFL teams who won’t have to worry about character or maturity issues.
According to several draft stock websites, Travis could be picked on the second or third day of the draft, likely anywhere in the fourth to seventh rounds. The NFL combine will take place from Feb. 27 to March 2, giving draft prospects a chance to bolster their stock and prove their value to NFL scouts. After that, prospects like Travis will continue to hone their game leading up to the draft in Green Bay, Wis. from April 24 to April 26.
Doug Schwartz is an associate Sports editor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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