AMES – Jalen Travis is a name that most Cyclones fans had probably never heard of this time last year. Now, the redshirt senior offensive tackle is leaving a lasting impression on and off the field.
A Minneapolis native who was a 6-foot 7-inch, 280-pound high school senior, Travis was not completely unheralded out of high school in 2020. He had two power conference offers: one from his hometown team in Minnesota and one from Iowa State.
Instead, Travis took the Ivy League route and committed to Princeton, where he went to play three seasons after the COVID-19 pandemic took away his freshman season.
When it came time for Travis to transfer, he had a decision to make, and unlike back in 2020, he chose the Cyclones. But his decision wasn’t all about football.
“I think the biggest thing that stood out to me about coach Campbell compared to the rest of the coaches that recruited me out of the portal was his commitment to the person,” Travis said. “He was so genuinely curious about my experience as a human before anything football.”
Travis’ priorities in his recruitment process are no surprise in the work he has done off the field.
He funded a non-profit named The Just Action Coalition, which aimed at promoting substantive youth engagement in policy-level advocacy on the local and state levels in Minnesota. He received the 2024 Athletes For A Better World Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup and was one of just 62 athletes around the country to be awarded a Truman scholarship.
These high character traits are exactly what made head coach Matt Campbell pursue Travis out of high school and in the transfer portal.
“What his purpose is, mission is in life, to me, that’s what we are lacking globally across the board,” Campbell said. “We knew Jalen the high school player. It was great to kind of see where he had grown the last four years for sure.”
The Cyclones obviously did not just recruit Travis because of how good of a guy he is. He is also really good when he steps onto the field Saturdays.
Travis missed the first two games of the season with an injury, but since entering the lineup in week four against Arkansas State he has been a standout on the Cyclones offensive line.
“Just the physical presence that guy has and how dominant he could be and how good he is in pass protection. He injects a lot of confidence into me and our offense,” Iowa State offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser said.
Travis has only played two games as a Cyclone, but it is clear that he is leaving a lasting impression.
“It’s been an unbelievable partnership,” Campbell said. “The way he took great senior leadership with this team, it’s been a joy to watch. I think he has made a huge impact on that offensive line for sure.”
It is unclear what lies ahead for Travis after this season, but there is no doubt that he is continuing to move forward in life at Iowa State.
When Travis committed, Campbell had one message for him.
“Come here because you want to help us grow as a program. But equally, we can help you not only as a football player, but continue your purpose in life.” Campbell said.
