A lot of football fans first saw Travis Kelce in the NFL, but Cincinnati fans watched him become a tight end. If you are planning a Cincinnati Bearcats custom jersey, his college years give you a solid set of number and name ideas tied to the program.
Arriving at Cincinnati
Kelce was a three-year letter winner at quarterback for Cleveland Heights High School in Ohio. He chose Cincinnati over offers from Akron, Eastern Michigan and Miami (Ohio), then redshirted in 2008.
Wildcat snaps in 2009
In 2009, Kelce saw time at tight end and as a quarterback in the wildcat formation. He ran eight times for 47 yards and two touchdowns and caught one pass. It was a small role, but it showed how Cincinnati's coaches were looking for ways to use his size and athleticism.
A missed year and a new position
Kelce did not play in 2010 after a team suspension. When he returned in 2011, he was a full-time tight end and caught 13 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
The breakout 2012 season
His senior season in 2012 is the one Bearcats fans remember. Kelce caught 45 passes for 722 yards, averaged 16.0 yards per catch, and scored eight touchdowns. He was named first-team all-conference and later received the College Football Performance Awards Tight End of the Year honor. The Kansas City Chiefs drafted him in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, 63rd overall.
Number ideas for a custom Bearcats jersey
Listings for a Kelce Cincinnati jersey use No. 18, shown in the featured image in a black Vapor Limited style. If you want your own name on the back but still nod to his college years, try one of these:
- 18: the number on Kelce's Cincinnati jersey listings.
- 45: his catch total in 2012.
- 63: the overall pick where the Chiefs drafted him.
- 12 or 13: his senior season, or his draft year.
Name ideas
A custom jersey does not need a famous name. Fans often use their own last name, a family nickname, or "BEARCATS" across the back. Shorter names look cleaner on smaller sizes, so if yours is long, consider initials or a nickname.
Picking the color
Cincinnati product listings show both black and white versions. Black gives the numbers sharp contrast and looks good at night games. White keeps a long name easy to read from the stands.
Before you order
- Choose the color first, since lettering contrast changes with it.
- Pick a number with a reason behind it.
- Check the spelling twice.
- Compare the size chart with a shirt you already own; size up if you plan to layer.
Where to compare styles
To see the color options side by side, you can browse Cincinnati Bearcats football jerseys you can personalize and test how your name and number look on each.
The story in one line
Wildcat quarterback in 2009, a missed season, then 722 yards as a senior tight end. That is the Cincinnati chapter of Travis Kelce's career, and it gives a custom Bearcats jersey a story worth telling.