Travon Petit III is staying focused and hasn’t given up on working to receive an opportunity to play college football.

A graduate of Lely High School in Naples, Florida, Petit finished the 2018 season rushing for 849 yards, gaining 120 receiving yards and scoring 10 total touchdowns for the Lely Trojans. Defensively, he recorded 75 tackles (43 solo), seven sacks, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.

He was inspired by his uncle to start playing the game. Petit III’s mother and uncle have molded him into the person that he is today and pushed him to be the best he can be in everything he does.

“I play for my mom. I grew up poor and still living poor till this day. I want to get us out of the situation we’re in,” Petit III said.



Travon Petit III had to grow up quickly after his mother was diagnosed with lupus. This included finding ways to feed himself and his younger siblings.

“I was born in Broward and moved to Naples when I was about 13. Broward was tough because [those were] my family’s worse times. Being evicted [and] not being [able] to eat every day,” he said. “We moved to Naples for a better life [and] some better opportunities. Broward will always mean a lot to me. It made me tough and I think that translates to my game and [it’s] why I play the way I do.”

Photo Credit: Travon Petit III

The 6’1, 236 pound, running back and middle linebacker loves to give back to the community whenever possible. He started his own school drive giving book bags, pencils and other essentials to students. When he didn’t have those things, there were people who did that same thing for him. He’s interested In business, sports management and sociology. His dream job is to be a college recruiter.

“I can say football helped me get out of a lot of trouble and the recruiting process [was] pretty hard. Naples is so small; we don’t get a lot of exposure. I have to do things myself,” he said about what he takes away from his recruiting process.

He has high interest in the Miami Hurricanes, Toledo Rockets, and Kansas Jayhawks. Miami because his cousin died there, and he wants to keep their family legacy going, Toledo because they come out and play hard every game and Kansas is his dream school.

What does Travon Petit III bring to the table on film?

As a running back, he has a nice blend of speed and power when running the football. He bursts through holes and has the ability to show elusiveness when he needs to. As a linebacker, his speed off the line of scrimmage is what will stick out right away. There were many defensive plays I saw on film where he was in the backfield disrupting a play as soon as the ball was snapped.



“Anywhere on the defense, I feel like I’m a step ahead of everyone because I played everywhere on the defense. So at the next level, if they want to switch my position, I already know what to do. [Offensively], I’m most effective with the ball in my hand. I can say I’m a playmaker,” he said.



Tennessee Titans Running Back Derrick Henry and Carolina Panthers Linebacker Luke Kuechly are guys Petit III studies at each position. Henry because he’s a big running back with surprising speed. Kuechly because he’s smart, fast and physical to the ball. Petit III tries to do the same.

“Scoring touchdowns is the best feeling and getting that sack or tackle just makes me happy and motivates me to keep going,” he said.



On and off the field, the school that chooses Travon Petit III to play for their football program is going to get a quiet, humble guy that plays with a lot of heart.



“Just getting the first start and a tackle will be a big accomplishment to let me know that I’m headed in the right direction.”