There are just three days left until Kansas State football kicks off the season against Stanford at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. With three days remaining, the Collegian looks at the two players wearing No. 3 this season — Aamaris Brown and Jaelon Travis.
Aamaris Brown is a 5 foot 10 inch, 187-pound sophomore defensive back out of Seffner, Florida. Brown was part of a special core of true freshmen this past year, one out of a select nine players in the class to see game action in 2020.
In his first year with the Wildcats, Brown played in six games, recording nine tackles as a reserve defensive back and on special teams. He shined against Texas and Kansas, picking up six of his nine tackles in those two games and recording a fumble recovery against West Virginia.
Aamaris Brown a 5'10" 187 pound sophomore DB from Seffner FL@AamarisBrown played on both special teams and as a reserve defensive back during his true freshman season. In his second year he has climbed up the depth chart and might be a starter in the secondary. pic.twitter.com/u7lEuUD97L
— Clint The K-State Fan (@Thekstatefan2) August 18, 2021
Brown missed out on more playing time this past year because of COVID-19, which has created a learning curve for this season.
“Aamaris is a phenomenal athlete,” head coach Chris Klieman said in his preseason press conference on Aug. 10. “He can run, he’ll strike you, he’s physical, he understands the game, but he’s still a true freshman in my eyes because he missed so much time. He was one that missed an awful lot of time last year through the COVID protocols that he’s still learning how our defense operates. Once it starts to slow down … he’ll play at a higher level.”
In Spring 2021, Brown was awarded the Selfless Core Value Award of the Week during the week of March 22.
Core Values Awards of the Week
Committed ➡️ Daniel Imatorbhebhe (@_bhex2)
Disciplined ➡️ Nick Allen (@NickAllen005)
Selfless ➡️ Aamaris Brown (@AamarisBrown)
Tough ➡️ Seth Porter (@sethporter_)#KStateFB pic.twitter.com/sPjSzly7zV— K-State Football (@KStateFB) March 22, 2021
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'It's been a long time coming': Football eager, prepared for first game
Before coming to K-State, Brown played at Armwood High School, where he was a three-star prospect according to 247sports. He was sought after by multiple FBS schools, including Indiana, Colorado State, Buffalo and Bowling Green, but eventually signed with K-State in December 2019.
While at Armwood, Brown made 80 total tackles and recorded 11 interceptions with eight pass breakups on top of that. His most stellar season in the secondary came as a junior, recording seven of his 11 career interceptions.
Those efforts earned Brown a nod on the All-State list, and he was also included in the Tampa Bay Times All-Tampa Bay Team.
Next on the countdown is the 6 foot, 195-pound redshirt freshman wide receiver out of Mansfield, Texas, Jaelon Travis.
Despite seeing no playing time this past season, there has been talk of him being involved in the wide receiver competition over fall and spring camp.
A three-star prospect out of Summit High School, Travis also received an offer from Texas Southern. However, he decided to sign with K-State in December 2019.
Travis made strides in his career as a junior and senior at Summit, catching 60 passes for 1,117 yards and 13 touchdowns during that time.
And THIS is what you call a power five catch🤯
Kansas State commit Jaelon Travis high points a ball on the final play of the half to give Summit a MUCH-NEEDED score
Cedar Hill 28 | @SummitJags 7
HALF@TheOldCoach | #TXHSFB pic.twitter.com/PNz3syHl1p— Nick Harris (@NickHarris247) October 12, 2019
TOUCHDOWN! And we’re tied at 20 thanks to some brilliant footwork from Jaelon Travis (@suavyjae) on the 54-yard rainbow from David Hopkins.
The only downside? Another lightning delay…@SportsDayHS | #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/fpOmMM64RZ
— Mitchell Gladstone (@mpgladstone) October 25, 2019
Travis looks to join the wide receiver rotation this season, with the first chance to see where he lands set for Saturday against Stanford.
