Travion “Tra” Fluellen Bio
Travion “Tra” Fluellen is an American professional football cornerback who currently plays for the Dallas Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). Born on March 22, 2001, in Gilmer, Texas, Fluellen developed into a notable collegiate athlete at both Houston Baptist University and Middle Tennessee State University before beginning his professional football career. After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, he signed with the New Orleans Saints and later joined the Dallas Renegades organization in 2026. Fluellen brings experience as both a safety and cornerback at the collegiate level, complemented by his background as a multi-sport athlete from Gilmer High School.
Early Life and Background
Travion Fluellen was born on March 22, 2001, in Gilmer, Texas, a small town known for its strong football tradition. He attended Gilmer High School in Gilmer, Texas, where he quickly established himself as a versatile athlete. Beyond football, Fluellen also participated in basketball and track, demonstrating the athletic range that would serve him well in his football career. His multi-sport background contributed to his development as a well-rounded player with skills applicable to multiple positions on the field.
During his senior year at Gilmer High School, Fluellen showcased his offensive abilities as a wide receiver. He recorded 46 receptions for 1,006 yards, demonstrating his capacity to make an impact in the passing game. This performance helped establish his reputation as a talented player worthy of consideration at the collegiate level, setting the foundation for his transition to the next stage of his football career.
Path to American Football
Following his standout high school career, Fluellen enrolled at Houston Baptist University where he began playing as a safety for the Houston Baptist Huskies from 2019 to 2020. His freshman season in 2019 proved to be a breakthrough campaign, as he recorded 101 tackles and 2 interceptions while helping his team compete in the FCS subdivision. His impressive performance earned him placement on the HERO Sports Freshman All-America First Team, marking him as one of the top freshman players in the country. Additionally, Fluellen was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, which honors the top first-year player in FCS football.
His sophomore season in 2020 saw Fluellen continue his development, contributing 25 tackles and 1 interception despite the challenges posed by the season. Following his two seasons at Houston Baptist, Fluellen made the decision to transfer to Middle Tennessee State University. This move to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level represented a significant step up in competition and an opportunity to test his skills against higher-caliber opponents.
Travion “Tra” Fluellen Career
Middle Tennessee State University (2021–2023)
Fluellen began his tenure at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in 2021, immediately making an impact for the Blue Raiders. Over his three seasons with the program from 2021 to 2023, he recorded 197 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 14 pass breakups, establishing himself as a reliable presence in the secondary. His ability to cover receivers and contribute to the passing game made him an valuable asset for the MTSU defense.
His senior season in 2023 represented the peak of his collegiate career, earning him recognition on multiple prestigious watch lists. Fluellen was named to the Bronco Nagurski Watch List, which honors the top defensive player in college football, as well as the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List for the top defensive back. He also earned a spot on the Senior Bowl Watch List, further cementing his status as one of the top cornerback prospects in the country. That season, he received Honorable Mention All-Conference USA (CUSA) honors, demonstrating his consistent performance against conference opponents. He was also named to the Second Team PFF College All-CUSA, highlighting his effectiveness according to advanced analytics.
Beyond his individual accolades, Fluellen served as a permanent team captain for the Blue Raiders in 2023, a testament to his leadership qualities and the respect he earned from coaches and teammates alike. His performance also earned him Honorable Mention All-CUSA honors in 2022, showing his ability to maintain a high level of play season after season. His progression from a promising transfer to an All-Conference performer and team captain illustrated his dedication to continuous improvement throughout his collegiate career.
Professional Career
Following the conclusion of his collegiate career, Fluellen entered the 2024 NFL Draft. Despite his decorated college resume and leadership experience, he went unselected throughout the draft process. However, his talent was evident enough that after the draft concluded, he signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent, earning an opportunity to compete for a roster spot in the NFL.
Fluellen signed a reserve/future contract with the New Orleans Saints on January 6, 2025, a positive sign for his prospects of making the team’s roster for the 2025 season. He continued to work toward establishing himself in professional football during training camp and the offseason program. On June 20, 2025, Fluellen was waived by the Saints, ending his tenure with the organization. This release presented a setback, but professional football careers often involve navigating such challenges as players seek opportunities with other teams.
Dallas Renegades Era (2026–Present)
Following his release from the Saints, Fluellen continued his football career by joining the Dallas Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). On January 13, 2026, Fluellen was selected by the Dallas Renegades in the 2026 UFL Draft. This opportunity allowed him to continue playing professional football while staying in his home state of Texas. The Dallas Renegades provided him with a platform to showcase his abilities and continue his development as a professional cornerback.
Playing Style and Strengths
Fluellen has experience playing both safety and cornerback at the collegiate level, giving him positional versatility that appeals to professional teams. His background as a wide receiver in high school provides him with unique insight into offensive schemes and route combinations, knowledge he can apply when covering opposing receivers. His collegiate production, including over 290 total tackles and 5 career interceptions, demonstrates his ability to make plays on the ball while maintaining consistency against conference competition. His experience as a team captain at MTSU highlights his leadership abilities and professionalism, traits that contribute to team culture and cohesion.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Fluellen’s most significant career milestones is his selection to the HERO Sports Freshman All-America First Team in 2019, recognizing him as one of the top first-year players in FCS football. His status as a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award further established his reputation as an emerging talent. His inclusion on multiple national award watch lists during his senior season at MTSU, including the Bronco Nagurski Trophy and Paycom Jim Thorpe Award lists, represented recognition of his development into an elite collegiate defender. His transition from Houston Baptist to Middle Tennessee State, a step up to the FBS level, showcased his ability to compete at higher levels of college football.
Travion “Tra” Fluellen Career Statistics
Fluellen compiled impressive statistics throughout his collegiate career across two programs. At Houston Baptist (2019–2020), he recorded 126 total tackles and 3 interceptions over two seasons. At Middle Tennessee State (2021–2023), he accumulated 197 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 14 pass breakups over three seasons. His combined collegiate career totals reflect a player who consistently contributed at a high level across multiple programs.
College Career Highlights
Fluellen’s freshman season at Houston Baptist in 2019 stands out as a particularly impressive campaign. Recording 101 tackles and 2 interceptions as a true freshman, he immediately demonstrated his ability to compete at the collegiate level. His selection to the HERO Sports Freshman All-America First Team placed him among the elite first-year defenders in the country. Being named a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the top first-year player in FCS football, further validated his exceptional debut season.
At Middle Tennessee State, Fluellen’s three seasons resulted in 197 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 14 pass breakups. His consistent production across multiple seasons earned him multiple All-Conference honors, including Honorable Mention All-CUSA in both 2022 and 2023. His selection to the Second Team PFF College All-CUSA reflected his strong performance according to advanced analytics. His service as a permanent team captain in 2023 demonstrated his growth into a leader both on and off the field.
Professional Career
Following his collegiate career, Fluellen signed with the New Orleans Saints after going undrafted in 2024. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints in January 2025 before being waived in June 2025. In January 2026, Fluellen was selected by the Dallas Renegades in the UFL Draft, continuing his professional football career in his home state of Texas.
Travion “Tra” Fluellen Family
Family Background
Specific details regarding Fluellen’s family background, including his parents, siblings, or any family connections to athletics, are not extensively documented in available public sources. He has maintained an active presence on social media platforms including Twitter and Instagram, where he engages with fans and shares updates about his football career.
Personal Life
Travion Fluellen was born in Gilmer, Texas, on March 22, 2001, and attended Gilmer High School in his hometown. He pursued higher education at both Houston Baptist University and Middle Tennessee State University. Information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children is not publicly available. His social media presence, including his Twitter and Instagram accounts, focuses primarily on his football career and professional development. Fluellen continues to reside in Texas while pursuing his professional football career with the Dallas Renegades.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant chapter in Fluellen’s professional career as he began the year with the New Orleans Saints organization. After signing a reserve/future contract in January 2025, he participated in the Saints’ offseason program and training camp, working to earn a spot on the team’s 53-man roster. The opportunity to compete in NFL training camp represented a valuable experience for his development as a professional athlete, regardless of the eventual outcome.
Throughout the offseason and preseason period, Fluellen had the opportunity to showcase his skills against NFL-level competition. His background as a versatile defender with experience at both safety and cornerback provided him with flexibility in how the coaching staff could evaluate his fit within their defensive scheme. The competitive environment of NFL training camp pushed him to elevate his performance and demonstrate the traits that made him a successful collegiate player.
On June 20, 2025, Fluellen was waived by the New Orleans Saints, concluding his tenure with the organization. While this release represented a setback in his immediate NFL aspirations, professional football careers often involve such transitions as players seek opportunities with other teams. Following his release, Fluellen remained committed to continuing his football career, eventually finding a new opportunity with the Dallas Renegades in the UFL for the 2026 season.