UConn’s Travis Jones accepts invitation to the Senior Bowl
Travis Jones is taking the next step in his NFL journey.
The UConn defensive tackle accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl, the premiere postseason event for draft-eligible prospects.
“I was excited,” Jones said Tuesday in his usual soft-spoken tone. “Watching guys like (former UConn offensive lineman) Matt Peart get an invite, I always wanted to get that as well. I’m happy.”
Jones, a 6-foot-5, 333pound junior from New Haven, has warded off constant double teams this season to record 40 tackles, 6.5 for loss, and 3.5 sacks across nine games.
The Senior Bowl is a scouting bonanza, with seniors and fourth-year juniors getting the chance to practice and play in front of NFL team personnel.
The game will be played on Feb. 5, 2022 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala. It will be broadcast on NFL Network.
“That’s a great award. I’ve coached several of those. I’ve been there,” said UConn interim coach Lou Spanos, a former defensive assistant in the NFL with Pittsburgh, Washington and Tennessee. “You’re talking about all eyes in the NFL are right there. Also, to get coached by NFL coaches, it’s a great opportunity for him but also for the University of Connecticut, having representation. “It’s a win-win for us.” Some of Jones’ teammates and coaches took to Twitter Monday to congratulate him following the announcement, with defensive line coach Dennis Dottin-Carter writing, “Nobody more deserving!! Keep going.”
“Big Trav!!,” freshman offensive lineman Chase
Lundt said. “LFG!!”
Jones has appeared in 35 games over three seasons at UConn, recording 126 tackles, 18 for loss, and 7.5 sacks. He was a preseason candidate for the prestigious Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the best defensive player in the country.
“He has all the NFL traits that you want,” Spanos said. “Obviously high football IQ, tremendous athlete. For what he does at the position, he’s strong at the point in the run game. He can bend and (is) explosive. Obviously he can put pressure on the quarterback.”
Spanos believes Jones played his best game of the season Saturday against Clemson. Jones had three tackles and a quarterback hit and helped hold Clemson to a modest 3.1 yards per carry.
“That’s what Clemson’s DNA is this year, running the ball,” Spanos said. “I thought the defense did a really good job of limiting the amount of plays in the run game. That’s with Travis splitting double teams, making plays off the blocks, making tackles, being disruptive on two blocks so that the linebackers can scrape. Really impressive.”
He’s expected to be the first UConn player drafted since 2020 when Peart
went in the third round, 99th overall, to the New York Giants. Prior to that, defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukaski was selected in sixth round, 180th overall, by the New York Jets in 2018.
Peart caught up with Jones about the process during a visit to campus last week.
“Just go out there and dominate,” Jones said Peart told him.
The Huskies (1-9) have two games remaining, beginning Saturday with a trip to UCF (4 p.m., ESPN+). Their regularseason finale will be Nov. 27 against No. 17 Houston at Rentschler Field.