2014 commit: LB Travonte Junius

[ZachTheZip]

6'2" 180lb St. Vincent-St. Mary LB Travonte Junius has committed to the Zips!

Scout profile

Rivals profile

ESPN profile

[Zipgrad01]

This kid has some serious speed off the edge. I cant wait to see what he looks like after a redshirt year with a D1 weight trainer.

[Dr Z]

Plain Dealer blog on both kids

[Dave in Green]

Travonte is listed as a DE/LB. Based on watching the video, I'm guessing Coach Bowden sees him as a DE in passing situations. It's become a big deal in the SEC to have tall, lean, fast DEs for pass rushing. The first SEC player like that I became aware of was LSU's uniquely named Barkevious Mingo, who was drafted by the Browns. Travonte appears to fit that mold, and since the Zips are already loaded at LB, I can see him more as a DE. Since he wasn't widely recruited, he can be considered a sleeper. Hopefully he becomes fully awakened under Coach Amato's direction.

[Dr Z]

You should have seen Jason Taylor at Akron his senior year.

[Dave in Green]

I did see Jason Taylor playing for Akron. I was living in Michigan at the time but visiting Akron on many weekends, and Hilltopper made sure I didn't miss a Zips football game whenever I was in town. The first time I saw Jason at the Rubber Bowl I said to Hilltopper, that's a man among boys.

[ZachTheZip]

Travonte is listed as a DE/LB. Based on watching the video, I'm guessing Coach Bowden sees him as a DE in passing situations. It's become a big deal in the SEC to have tall, lean, fast DEs for pass rushing. The first SEC player like that I became aware of was LSU's uniquely named Barkevious Mingo, who was drafted by the Browns. Travonte appears to fit that mold, and since the Zips are already loaded at LB, I can see him more as a DE. Since he wasn't widely recruited, he can be considered a sleeper. Hopefully he becomes fully awakened under Coach Amato's direction.

I tend to agree with you on him eventually becoming a pass rusher. Needs to put on a little more weight, but not so much that he loses his speed.

[MDZip]

Quote from the article. "While staying at home was a nice bonus, Williams felt the biggest attraction was the growth of the Zips under new coach Terry Bowden. Akron went from 1-11 in 2011 and 2012 to 5-7 in 2013 under Bowden, including winning three straight games to end the regular season". The improvement this season starts paying dividends now.

[Zipgrad01]

Travonte is listed as a DE/LB. Based on watching the video, I'm guessing Coach Bowden sees him as a DE in passing situations. It's become a big deal in the SEC to have tall, lean, fast DEs for pass rushing. The first SEC player like that I became aware of was LSU's uniquely named Barkevious Mingo, who was drafted by the Browns. Travonte appears to fit that mold, and since the Zips are already loaded at LB, I can see him more as a DE. Since he wasn't widely recruited, he can be considered a sleeper. Hopefully he becomes fully awakened under Coach Amato's direction.

It is funny you said this. I almost posted last night that he reminded me of a young Barkevious Mingo at LSU and that he appeared to be an "SEC" type recruit at DE.

[Zipgrad01]

Wow...what an athletic play.

[ZachTheZip]

Scout.com insider article

[Zipgrad01]

Scout.com insider article

What is the gist of the article?

[Zipmeister]

Excellent size for a safety. With his speed that's where he should be.

[Buckzip]

Travonte is listed as a DE/LB. Based on watching the video, I'm guessing Coach Bowden sees him as a DE in passing situations. It's become a big deal in the SEC to have tall, lean, fast DEs for pass rushing. The first SEC player like that I became aware of was LSU's uniquely named Barkevious Mingo, who was drafted by the Browns. Travonte appears to fit that mold, and since the Zips are already loaded at LB, I can see him more as a DE. Since he wasn't widely recruited, he can be considered a sleeper. Hopefully he becomes fully awakened under Coach Amato's direction.

Mingo is tall and lean. This kid is tall and thin for a DE. If he plays DE, he will need to add a lot of weight.

He is safety size now. I see OLB.