Source: Stacy Revere / Getty
**INDIANAPOLIS** **–** Elite size. Elite smarts.
That is probably a succinct way to describe what the Colts are getting in new offensive tackle Jalen Travis.
At 6-8 and 339 pounds, Travis will undoubtedly be one of the biggest players to ever put on a Colts uniform.
Walking into the NFL with an Ivy League degree in anthropology, a concentration in law, politics and economics and a certificate in African American studies, plus plans to head to law school once football is complete, it’s probably fair to say Travis ranks as one of the smarter individuals to ever play for the Horseshoe, as well.
Of course, what Travis’ NFL career will ultimately be defined by how he continues to develop at offensive tackle.
Unlike the rest of the Colts draft class, Travis only has one year of playing college football at a high level (transferred from Iowa State to Princeton for the 2024 campaign).
Travis’ college background included 26 starts (16 at left tackle, 8 at right tackle).
The Colts fell in love with the size/speed, plus character makeup of the big man who ails from an extremely athletic family.
“I think the physical ability that he brings,” Shane Steichen says of what stood out about Travis. “He’s light on his feet for a big guy. I think he ran a 5.15. At that size to run and move like that, it will be good for the room.”
The dancing bear has a background that included playing on the same AAU basketball team as NBAers Chet Holmgren and Jalen Suggs. His cousin is former Colts tight end Ross Travis.
Projecting to the NFL, Travis will likely play offensive tackle, **[initially competing for the “don’t forget about” swing tackle position](https://1075thefan.com/559587/colts-round-4-pick-127-recap-iowa-state-offensive-tackle-jalen-travis/)**.
“Right now I don’t have any expectations,” Travis says. “I think someone in my position, I’m ready to come in and work. Whatever that looks like for our team going forward, that’s for the coaches to deicide. I’m going to make sure I’m putting my best foot forward starting Day 1 to make sure that I’m continuing to perfect my process and approaching the game in the right way, to make sure that come the fall, and come the season I’m helping this team win the Super Bowl, in whatever capacity that looks like.”
When the Colts called Travis to inform, it was the draft pick letting his head coach know that a Super Bowl was on his mind.
Clearly, there seems to be a mutual respect between the two parties.
“Super surreal,” is how Travis described being drafted by the Colts.
“The Colts from the jump have been big believers in me, starting with (offensive line) coach Tony Sparano. Someone that has a great pedigree in this league and someone I’m eager to get to work with. I realize that I have a lot of growth left in my game and I’m eager to get to work and see what we can accomplish. And bring this team to back to winning Super Bowls and playoff (games) at a consistent level.”
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