There is no question that Travis Kelce is a future Hall of Famer, setting NFL records at the tight end position in a career littered with postseason accolades.
It’s hard to fathom that it was all nearly derailed before it began with a missed sophomore season during his college career due to suspension, followed by a full-time position switch from quarterback to tight end.
Where Did Travis Kelce Go to College?
Even before he became a Kansas City Chief, Travis Kelce stared at the University of Cincinnati. But even before that, he was a high school dual-threat quarterback at Cleveland Heights High School in Ohio. During his senior year in 2007, Kelce showcased his versatility by passing for 1,523 yards with 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
He also rushed for 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns, displaying an ability to make plays both through the air and on the ground.
MORE: Patrick Mahomes Never Won a Heisman, but His College Football Legacy Continues To Grow
Kelce received scholarship offers from several universities, including Akron, Eastern Michigan, and Miami (Ohio), but he ultimately chose to attend the University of Cincinnati. One of the key reasons for this decision was the opportunity to play alongside his older brother, Jason Kelce, who was the starting left guard for the Bearcats at the time.
Kelce redshirted his freshman year in 2008, allowing him to develop before seeing the field.
In 2009, Kelce appeared in 11 games, splitting time as a Wildcat quarterback and tight end. He rushed for 47 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries but only had one reception for three yards. The Bearcats had a remarkable run that season, finishing 12-0 and earning a trip to the Sugar Bowl.
However, their head coach, Brian Kelly, left for Notre Dame before the game, and Cincinnati lost to Florida 51-24 in what was Tim Tebow’s final college game.
Unfortunately, after the Sugar Bowl, Kelce’s career hit a rough patch. He failed a drug test for marijuana, resulting in a season-long suspension in 2010.
“I partied a little too much down there (the Sugar Bowl), got hit with a drug test, and from that point on, I realized I’ve got to tighten the (expletive) up,” Kelce said.
“What it did was it really kicked me into the tight end room. I was still playing quarterback then. It was like, ‘Alright, you can come walk on the team, but we don’t need a quarterback. You can just be an athlete on scout team for a year, and we’ll figure it out.'”
Thanks to his brother helping convince Butch Jones’ staff to let him back on the team, Kelce returned for his junior season with a renewed focus.
Jason lobbied the coaching staff on his behalf, and his efforts paid off.
FREE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
“(Jason) went into the coaches office and talked to numerous coaches to try and give me another chance,” Kelce said. “I’m forever in debt to (Jason) for putting his name, our name – the Kelce name – on the line. When I say I owe it all to him, I really do.”
Kelce played in 11 games that year, catching 13 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns. It was the following year, however, when Kelce truly broke out. In 2012, he set a Cincinnati Bearcats record for receiving yards by a tight end, amassing 722 yards on 45 catches with eight touchdowns.
This standout senior season caught the attention of NFL scouts, leading to Kelce being drafted in the third round by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Since then, Kelce has gone on to become one of the most dominant tight ends in NFL history, with numerous accolades and records to his name. Reflecting on his journey, Kelce credits his older brother for helping him get back on track, while also showing resilience and perseverance in overcoming early challenges.
Kelce Keeps Winning
While he didn’t set as many individual records in college as he has in the pros, he’s won as regularly then as he does now.
The Bearcats went 42-9 in the four seasons he played, winning the Big East each year (2008-2009 with Brian Kelly, 2011-2012 with Butch Jones). Cincinnati went 4-8 in 2010, the year he was suspended. The Chiefs have won the AFC West in eight of Kelce’s 11 seasons, all of them consecutively in the last eight seasons.
MORE: How Superstar Center Jason Kelce Rose to Promince at Cincinnati
Nine consecutive Pro Bowl selections (2015-2023), a four-time First Team All-Pro selection (2016, 2018, 2020, 2022), three-time Second Team All-Pro selection (2017, 2019, 2021), and two-time Super Bowl winner (LIV in 2020, LVII in 2022) – Kelce’s NFL career has been sensational, to say the least.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top players, the college football season schedule, and much more!