Tra Fluellen Bio
Travion “Tra” Fluellen is an American professional football cornerback born on March 22, 2001, in Gilmer, Texas. He currently plays for the Dallas Renegades of the United Football League after a college career split between Houston Baptist University and Middle Tennessee State University. Fluellen entered the professional ranks as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints in 2024 before moving to the UFL.
A multi-sport athlete in high school, Fluellen developed into a defensive back with a reputation for tackling and coverage. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 212 pounds, he brings the size and physicality expected of a starting cornerback at the professional level. His career reflects a steady climb from small-town Texas football to nationally televised leagues.
Early Life and Background
Travion Fluellen was born and raised in Gilmer, Texas, a small community in East Texas known for producing competitive high school football talent. He grew up in a household that valued athletics, and he channeled his energy into multiple sports from a young age. That athletic foundation shaped his transition into organized football and his eventual recruitment to college programs.
Fluellen attended Gilmer High School, where he participated in football, basketball, and track. During his senior season, he recorded 46 receptions for 1,006 yards as a wide receiver, demonstrating the playmaking speed and ball skills that would later define his defensive career. His senior production drew attention from college scouts despite his relatively late transition to the defensive side of the ball.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 212 pounds, Fluellen possessed the frame that college coaches look for in a defensive back. His combination of size, athletic versatility, and competitive drive made him an attractive recruit. He ultimately chose to continue his football career at Houston Baptist University, beginning the next chapter of his development.
Path to American Football
Fluellen enrolled at Houston Baptist University in 2019, where he played safety for the Huskies during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. As a freshman in 2019, he made an immediate impact by recording 101 tackles and 2 interceptions, earning a spot on the HERO Sports Freshman All-America First Team. He was also named a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, which recognizes the top freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision.
In 2020, Fluellen added 25 tackles and 1 interception before deciding to transfer. His performance at Houston Baptist established him as a playmaker, but he sought a higher level of competition. In 2021, he transferred to Middle Tennessee State University, joining a Conference USA program with a more established national profile.
At Middle Tennessee, Fluellen played three seasons from 2021 to 2023, transitioning to a more prominent role in the secondary. Over his three years with the Blue Raiders, he accumulated 197 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 14 pass breakups. His senior season included placement on the Bronco Nagurski Watch List, the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, and the Senior Bowl Watch List, while also earning Honorable Mention All-Conference USA honors. He served as a permanent team captain in 2023, capping his college career as a respected leader.
Tra Fluellen Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Fluellen’s first notable stretch came at Houston Baptist, where he stepped onto the field as a true freshman in 2019. His 101-tackle season set a tone for his career and validated the switch to the defensive side of the ball. He finished his two seasons with the Huskies having established himself as one of the top young defensive backs in the Southland Conference.
Following the 2020 season, Fluellen entered the transfer portal and joined the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. The move allowed him to compete in Conference USA, a league with stronger competition and broader scouting exposure. He immediately earned a starting role and produced consistently across his three seasons in Murfreesboro.
Middle Tennessee Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Fluellen’s tenure at Middle Tennessee represented the most productive stretch of his college career. He posted 197 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 14 pass breakups over three seasons, emerging as one of the most reliable defensive backs in Conference USA. His coverage skills and open-field tackling made him a fixture in the Blue Raiders’ secondary.
In 2022, Fluellen earned Honorable Mention All-Conference USA recognition and was named to the Second Team PFF College All-Conference USA. The following year, he repeated with Honorable Mention All-Conference USA honors while also appearing on the Bronco Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, and Senior Bowl watch lists. His senior-season leadership and production were central to Middle Tennessee’s defensive efforts.
New Orleans Saints Era (2024–2025)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Fluellen signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. The move gave him the opportunity to compete for a roster spot in one of the league’s most respected defensive organizations. He spent the 2024 season developing within the Saints’ system while adjusting to the speed of professional football.
On January 6, 2025, Fluellen signed a reserve/future contract with New Orleans, securing his place on the offseason roster. That status was short-lived, however, as he was waived by the Saints on June 20, 2025. His release opened the door for a fresh start in a spring football league.
Dallas Renegades Era (2026–Present)
On January 13, 2026, Fluellen was selected by the Dallas Renegades in the 2026 UFL Draft. The selection marked a new chapter in his professional career, returning him to a featured role after his release from New Orleans. The Renegades’ system offered a chance to showcase his coverage skills on a national stage.
With Dallas, Fluellen rejoined a competitive environment in the United Football League, where spring leagues have become a proving ground for players seeking to return to the NFL. His size, experience, and leadership made him a logical fit for a Renegades secondary in need of veteran playmakers. The move also kept his professional trajectory moving forward after a brief period of uncertainty.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Fluellen’s career came during his freshman year at Houston Baptist, when his 101-tackle season placed him on the HERO Sports Freshman All-America First Team and made him a Jerry Rice Award finalist. He later added Conference USA Honorable Mention honors in back-to-back seasons, reinforcing his reputation as a dependable defensive back. His selection in the 2026 UFL Draft and his signing of a reserve/future contract with New Orleans in January 2025 represent the major professional milestones of his journey to date.
Tra Fluellen Career Wins
Tra Fluellen’s career to this point has been defined more by statistical production and defensive reliability than by win totals. As a defensive back, his impact is measured in tackles, interceptions, and coverage disruptions rather than championships. The verified win counts for Fluellen across his professional and college stops are not clearly documented in the available sources.
Tra Fluellen Family
Personal Life
Public information about Travion Fluellen’s personal life is limited. He maintains a presence on social media platforms, including Instagram and X, where he shares updates about his football career. Beyond his documented ties to Gilmer, Texas, and his college programs, additional verified details about his family and personal relationships are not currently available in the public record.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year proved to be a transitional period for Tra Fluellen. He began the year by signing a reserve/future contract with the New Orleans Saints on January 6, a move that kept him within the organization through the offseason. That contract reflected the Saints’ continued interest in his development as a cornerback prospect.
On June 20, 2025, Fluellen was waived by New Orleans, ending his time with the Saints after a year and a half in the organization. The release came during the early stages of training camp and opened the door to a new opportunity in spring football. His departure from the Saints cleared the path toward the UFL and a return to a more featured role on defense.
Looking ahead, Fluellen’s 2025 narrative remains closely tied to his next landing spot, with the 2026 UFL Draft ultimately reshaping his professional outlook. His combination of size, tackling, and coverage experience positions him as a player capable of competing for a major role in any secondary that signs him. The season’s defining chapter, however, will be written once he steps back onto the field in a regular-season uniform.