Travis Beckum
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[edit] Biography
Travis Beckum was born on January 24, 1987 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A highly decorated linebacker in high school, he converted to offense for the 2006 season and is now an All-American tight end for the University of Wisconsin football team.
In high school at Oak Creek, Beckum was honored in just about every way possible. During his senior season in 2004, Beckum made 108 tackles, including 38 tackles-for-loss and 16 sacks to go along with seven interceptions, eight fumble recoveries and four blocked kicks.
He was named the No. 1 player in Wisconsin by Rivals.com, was a SuperPrep and Parade All-American, was a unanimous selection for state player of the year, and was a four-year letter-winner in football and a three-time letter-winner in basketball.
As highly regarded as he was, Beckum entered the UW program as a backup who primarily saw action on special teams.
Following the 2005 season, Beckum was converted to offense under new head coach Bret Bielema. He made his first appearance at tight end against Bowling Green, catching three passes for 49 yards.
Since then, he's become arguably the best tight end in Badger history.
At the end of the 2006 season, Beckum had broken single-season school records for tight ends in both receptions (61) and yardage (903) while leading the team in both categories.
He was a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, was named second team All-America by Walter Camp and SI.com and was a second team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches.
Entering the 2007 season, Beckum was named to just about every All-America list -- first team by Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook and Lindy's, second team by The Sporting News and Athlon Sports.
Prior to the Badgers' appearance in the Outback Bowl, Beckum had already caught 73 passes for 960 yards and six touchdowns. Aside from breaking his own single season position records for catches and yards in a season, he has already broken the school's career record for receptions by a tight end. He is also three catches away from breaking Lee Evans' overall school record for receptions in a season and 61 yards away from breaking former UW Athletics Director Pat Richter's record for yards receiving by a tight end.
He was named an AP All-American following the 2007 season, and is ranked as one of the best tight ends in the country, though he has yet to decide whether to declare for the 2008 NFL Draft or stay for his senior season.
[edit] Statistics
[edit] College Receiving
| YEAR | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 61 | 903 | 14.8 | 62 | 5 |
| 2007 | 73 | 960 | 13.2 | 46 | 6 |
| TOTAL | 134 | 1863 | 13.9 | 62 | 11 |
[edit] College Rushing
| YEAR | ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 4 | 19 | 4.8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2007 | 4 | 6 | 1.5 | 13 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 8 | 25 | 3.1 | 13 | 0 |
[edit] Scouting Report
Beckum is probably one of the most athletic players on Badger football team. He was a two-sport star in football and basketball at Oak Creek High School, so his leaping ability favors well when comparing him to a Tony Gonzalez or an Antonio Gates. In fact, everything about him compares well to these two.
Beckum is a converted linebacker who was a unanimous state player of the year selection in high school. But don't let that fool you about his hands. Beckum has some of the surest hands in the nation and his speed and athleticism allow him to lineup off the line, much like several of the new-school NFL tight ends.
He is a little undersized weight-wise, however. Listed at only 224 lbs., Beckum will surely have to put on about 25 pounds (Gonzalez is listed at 251 lbs.) to entice NFL scouts his way.
[edit] Transactions
[edit] Trivia
[edit] Video Gallery
[edit] Picture Gallery
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