Interview: 3-Star 2022 Arkansas RB Travelle Anderson has Sights Set on 2,000 Yards

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

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An all-purpose back with speed and power, that’s the simplest way to summarize the talents Travelle Anderson brings to the field. During his sophomore season, Anderson rolled over 4A Arkansas defenses for 1,025 yards off 111 totes with nine trips into the end zone, and doing so all in a secondary role. As the new featured back for Gosnell High School, the 6-0, 190-pound, back is responding well taking the rock 20 times for 214 yards with two touchdowns with one two-point conversion and brought down four passes for 34 yards in the Pirates’ (1-1) season opener. Programs throughout the region are catching onto Anderson. Four offers have already been handed to the Blytheville area recruit with interest building across the country.

In an RNG first-look confab, Anderson fills us in on the early part of his junior season with background on his recruiting process.

Interview

Travelle, I’ve only seen stats on you for the first game of this season and it was astounding chomping up 214 yards on 20 carries. Overall, how is the season going for you personally so far?

It is going great. I feel like I worked a lot over the summer. We were quarantined which helped me work more on my game. I worked on getting stronger and faster, it has helped my game a lot.

Last season the Pirates had a two-headed ground and pound approach with you and Jydarian Young. How is the offense set up this season?

It is set up – I am the main back. Last year I was the second string. There is another good back on our team this year, Floyd Williams; he is a sophomore. We have more plays designed for running backs this season especially with screen passes and going out in the flats to get the ball. We are getting the ball anyway we can this season.

Let’s push on that. How are the coaches getting the rock into your hands?

Outside zone, inside zone, two-point conversion plays, and we have tosses and powers. We do a little bit of everything.

How are defenses lining up to try to stop you?

I am mostly seeing everyone in the box except the corners. We run a Spread, so you can’t put too many in the box. We have good receivers on our team, but there is more in the box than usual.

Last season you showed that elite gear being able to break away from anywhere on the field. This offseason, did you get to clock that speed in a timed run?

When I was hand-timed, I was around a 4.41. When I was laser-timed, I clocked at 4.56.

Nice. What did you work on over the spring and summer months to prepare for your junior grind?

I worked on my catching a lot; I knew we would throw more this year. This offseason I worked on my footwork, lifting weights, and getting bigger. Those were my main three things.

Are you getting snaps in on defense this season, if so, where are you playing?

Yes, I am playing free safety and corner.

Are you excited about playing in the Pirates’ secondary this season?

Yes. In the past, I did not care about defense, but it is starting to grow on me. I played it last year, now I am looking forward to doing it.

Osceola (1-2) is next on the schedule, what kind of game are you expecting from the Seminoles?

I am expecting them to be fast. They have good receivers and their quarterback is good at moving around the pocket to find the open receiver. They have a good passing game. But we can stop them with our secondary. On defense, they have a lot of fast players. We have to get our blocks in the running game.

After going over 1,000 yards as a sophomore, what goals have you set for the 2020 campaign?

My goals are to go at least 2,000 yards, more receptions and receiving yards, and a state title.

Let’s get into recruiting before we wrap. Which schools are showing interest as the season gets going?

Arkansas, Memphis, TCU, Texas Tech, Virginia, and Colorado.

How many offers do you have?

Four; Arkansas State, Colorado State, Kansas, and North Texas.

If visits were allowed this weekend, are there any trips you’d like to take?

I look forward to going to Kansas on a visit. Out of my offers, I’d like to visit North Texas to see how it is. Arkansas State is only about an hour away.

Travelle, thanks for spending time with me today going over your game and recruiting. Wishing you and the Pirates great success this season.

Thank you.

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Photo credit: Anderson family; Travelle Anderson