By By Adam Robinson – Sports Editor
Type the name “Jamar Travis” in a Google search bar and you will come up with many hits - most of them recruiting sites such as rivals.com or hsalabama.scout.com.
Travis, a junior defensive tackle for the W.S. Neal Eagles this past season, is getting recognition outside Alabama, as well.
Travis, a 6-1, 298 lb. defensive lineman, was one of more than 500 of the nation's top junior prospects at this year's U.S. Army All-American Combine that was held in San Antonio, Texas, where he made the Rivals.com All-combine defense team as an honorable mention for defensive lineman.
A combine is an event where athletes test their athletic skills in drills, 40-yard dashes and other training routines.
There were 12 defensive lineman positions given, with six coming from the defensive end spot and six coming from the defensive tackle spot. Travis was the only defensive player from Alabama mentioned on the team.
Escorting Travis on the trip to San Antonio were W.S. Neal head coach Blaine Hathcock and W.S. Neal defensive coordinator Kevin Jordan.
While achieving the honor to showcase his ability against 500 of the nation's top junior prospects, Travis said he did see room for improvement in his game.
Jordan had nothing but good words for his star pupil.
Jordan also agreed with Hathcock about the prestige of being selected to attend the combine in Texas.
Jordan said Travis made a name for himself at the combine.
In December, Travis was also selected by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as an all-state lineman for the 4A classification and was invited to the Under Armour/scout.com combine this past Sunday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile.
While Travis has been mentioned as a top junior prospect for the class of 2009, as of right now, Travis has not received any offers from any prospective colleges.
This past season, Travis helped lead the W.S. Neal Eagles to a 6-5 season and led them to the playoffs for the second year in a row and their second win over rival T.R. Miller in back-to-back years.
It was the first time the Eagles made the playoffs in consecutive years since the 2000-2001 seasons.
It was also the first time since the Eagles defeated T.R. Miller two times in a row since the 1970 and 1971 season. The Eagles made it three in a row over the Tigers in 1972 with a 22-6 win over the Tigers.
Travis' play will be looked to, as will his senior leadership in the upcoming season. The Eagles remained in the 4A classification for the 2008 season and will face some tough opponents on this year's region schedule.
While Travis and the Eagles will face a tough region schedule in 2008, Travis can't wait.
“I am already looking forward to spring training coming up,” Travis said.
Travis runs a 5.1 forty-yard dash, benches 330 lbs., squats 450 lbs., and has a GPA of 3.5.