Travis Frederick

Travis Frederick (born March 18, 1991) is an American football center for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Frederick played college football for the University of Wisconsin. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Early years
A native of Sharon, Wisconsin, Frederick attended Big Foot High School in Walworth, Wisconsin, where he was an All-State two-way lineman. He helped his high school team to second place in the 2008 WIAA Division 4 state playoffs. Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Frederick was ranked as the No. 83 offensive tackle prospect in his class.

College career
Frederick attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and played for the Wisconsin Badgers football team from 2009 to 2012. After graduating high school early to participate in spring practice, Frederick became the first true freshman in Badgers history to start a season-opening game on the offensive line, when he lined up at center against Northern Illinois. An ankle injury in Week 2 knocked him out of the starting lineup, but he returned for the final two games, at left guard, after center Peter Konz was sidelined (blood clots) and John Moffitt was moved to center. For the season, he played in five games, starting four (two at center and two at left guard).

In order to preserve a year of Frederick's NCAA eligibility, Wisconsin coaching staff decided to redshirt him in 2010. In his redshirt sophomore season, Frederick replaced John Moffitt, starting 11 of 13 games at left guard. For two games, he had to substitute for Peter Konz at center.

Following Konz' departure for the 2012 NFL Draft, Frederick was moved to center his junior season. He started all 13 games at center and was named a first-team All-American by Pro Football Weekly.

2013 NFL Draft
Considered the No. 1 center in his class by Mel Kiper, Jr. of ESPN, Frederick decided to enter the 2013 NFL Draft as an underclassman. He was projected to be a second-to-third round selection.

At the NFL Combine, Frederick ran a 5.58 in the 40 yard dash, second-slowest among offensive lineman. He also posted a below-average 21 repetitions in the 225-lb bench press.

Dallas Cowboys
In the 2013 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys traded down in the first round with the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a third round pick (used to draft Terrance Williams). In the first round the team selected Frederick after eight offensive linemen were drafted before him. This decision caused a stir in the media because it was seen as a reach. As a rookie he was the starter at center from the first day of training camp and started all 16 regular season games.