Furman: Local product...has the inside track to take over the starting defensive end job vacated by the graduation of Brandon Poole, one of only two departures from last year's starting lineup...could also move inside to defensive tackle if needed, as was the case in spring practice when injuries thinned out the Paladins' interior defensive front...has noteworthy starting experience in his career...could receive a strong push for playing time at end from highly regarded redshirt freshman Wallace Artis...boasts good strength and speed...ranked as the third strongest player on the team in spring strength testing, recording a combined lif t of 1,427 pounds in three exercises: bench press (450), squat (625), and power clean (352)...bench press ranked second only to Wesley Bray's team best 525-pound mark, and squat and power clean both ranked fourth highest on team. 2003 -- Earned starts at defensive end in eight games, getting the nod in the first six and two of the last three contests...played a key role in Furman leading the nation in passing defense (132.8 ypg) and topping the SoCon in scoring defense (14.1 ppg), total defense (272.5 ypg), and passing efficiency defense (97.5 rating)...collected 31 tackles, including six for-loss...totaled a season high seven tackles versus Georgia Southern...had six stops, including two for-loss, in 24-7 season opening win over Elon...top performance may have come against East Tennessee State (30-10 win), when he tallied three tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, fumble recovery, and pass deflection. 2002 -- Appeared in all 12 games and totaled 22 tackles primarily as a backup defensive end and member of special teams...earned one start in the Paladins' season opener versus Vanderbilt...tallied a season high four tackles versus East Tennessee State (25-0 win) and Georgia Southern. 2001 -- Ranked among the top first year players to have a significant impact on a veteran squad...saw action in all 11 games at defensive end and totaled 10 tackles...notched a season high three tackles against Elon (46-7 win)...had two stops in 45-14 triumph over Wofford...helped Furman lead the Southern Conference in rushing defense (124.8 ypg) and rank second in scoring defense (14.1 ppg).

High School: 2001 graduate of Southside High School...football coach was Lee Taylor...played offensive tackle and defensive end...totaled 78 tackles and 11 sacks during the 2000 season en route to earning all-county, all-region, and all-state honors...prestigious Shrine Bowl participant...had 12 tackles and a pair of sacks against Seneca his senior year...totaled 105 tackles and garnered all-county and all-region accolades in 1999...also starred in wrestling while at Southside...named Greenville County Wrestler-of-the-Year and finished second in the state with a 30-3 record in 2000.

Personal: Full name is Travis Allen Jones...son of Delores Jones and Robert Byrd...born October 12, 1982, in Greenville, South Carolina...communications major.