Jeremiah Trotter Sr. knew this time would come since his son, Jeremiah Jr., was a 10-year-old. Trotter Sr., the Eagles Hall of Famer, four-time Pro Bowler and beloved linebacker, just admits with a bellowing laugh that he may be more anxious about the 2024 NFL Draft than Junior is.
Jeremiah Jr., a 6-foot, 230-pound two-year starting inside linebacker at Clemson, is being projected to be a second-day selection and could go anywhere from the middle of the second round, where the Eagles have the No. 50 and No. 53 picks, to the third round.
“We are hearing second round, third round, there have been a few teams saying fourth round, so it’s wide open depending on what teams it is,” said The Axe Man, an 11-year pro who played eight years with the Eagles and has remained in the Philadelphia area, living in South Jersey. “I would love to see Junior get drafted by the Eagles. I would love to see him wear my number (54, which is currently available). We have heard from the Eagles and they have definitely shown interest in him. I have not really thought about it, because to be honest, you will go crazy thinking where he is going to go.
“When it comes to your kids, you are always nervous, because you want the best for them. I’ll put it into God’s hands. I’m proud of Junior, who was a far better player than me coming out of college. He understands the game far better than I did at the same age, he works extremely hard, and I of course have a bias, because he’s my son. But everything Junior has achieved, he has worked for. His life is already mapped out. He is going through the process, and I am anxious to get it over with.”
So is Junior.
He was a two-time second-team Associated Press All-American, and was a first-team all-ACC linebacker as a junior and was a finalist for the Butkus Award (nation’s top LB). As a sophomore, he started all 14 games and led Clemson with 92 tackles, 13.5 TFL, tied for the team lead with 6.5 sacks. As a junior, he started 12 games, had 88 tackles, 15 TFL with 5.5 sacks, with two interceptions, one a pick-six.
His NFL bio reads: “Inside linebacker who plays with dogged determination and a nose for the football that helps him pack out the stat sheet. Trotter comes from NFL bloodlines and operates with consistency, play strength and a willingness to do the dirty work. He’s quick to diagnose and moves with exceptional body control and footwork to play around bodies and get to the rock. He’s not very big or long, but his football IQ makes it a moot point. He has adequate pursuit speed with good short-area burst and real talent in getting to the quarterback as a blitzer. Trotter can get to the ball with clear eyes and above-average efficiency and has a chance to be a long-time starter in the league.”
His strengths are what any NFL team would want in a linebacker: NFL bloodlines and outstanding football IQ; plays with anticipation to mirror play development; talented in slipping blocks with no wasted motion; attacks blocks with force to spill runners wide or to set an edge outside; comes to balance and wraps up the runner with ideal target points.
Basically, everything his father taught him when he was 10.
“I’m ready to go,” Jeremiah Jr. said. “I think this process is more detailed than the college recruiting process. There is so much money being put into this process, so it is more thorough. It feels good that the Eagles’ fanbase, or any fanbase, would want you to play for them. We will see what happens. The Eagles have spoken to me. Kansas City (his father played for Andy Reid) has, Buffalo (his father played for the Eagles when Bills’ head coach Sean McDermott was an Eagles’ defensive assistant), the New York Jets (Jets’ general manager Joe Douglas was Eagles’ Vice president of player personnel when Jeremiah Jr. starred for St. Joe’s Prep). You never know where you are going to land.
“I have had a lot of conversations with a lot of people. I spoke to Spags (Chiefs’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo). It is pretty crazy to think about. I was a baby when my dad played for him. My dad is excited for when things happen.”
Wherever he goes, Jeremiah Jr. will take his white Clemson No. 54 jersey with the “Trotter’s Mom” nameplate with him. Tammi Trotter, Jeremiah Jr.’s mom, died of cancer on February 28, 2023. Junior spoke about feeling her presence.
“Every time I stepped on the field last year, I played with my mom in mind, and this motivates me even more, knowing getting to the NFL was her dream, too,” Jeremiah Jr. said. “It will definitely be an emotional moment when I get drafted, without my mom being there physically. I will think about all the people who helped me reach this moment, and the hard work that it took to get me here. I have pictures of her and I will always hold my mother’s memory close to my heart. I will always remember the great person and mother that she was. I will probably take my Trotter’s Mom jersey with me to whatever team I get drafted by.”
Some teams have spoken to Trotter Jr. about being the MIKE linebacker and some have talked to him about being the WILL. If there is a knock that Junior is getting from scouts is that he too small. His father played at 6-1, 262, and his younger brother, Josiah, who will be a starting linebacker for West Virginia, is 6-2, 240.
The Eagles appear thin at linebacker. Their current starting linebackers are 5-11, 230-pound Nakobe Dean and new acquisition Devin White, listed at 6-foot, 235 pounds. Junior is 6-foot, 230, with room to add weight.
“Clemson plays a 4-3, but we did have different fronts, but I feel I have the ability to play in any system,” said Junior, who is 14 credits short of getting his degree in criminal justice with a minor in business with plans on returning to school and finishing at Clemson. “With my playing style, and how I played at Clemson, the best fit for requires me to run downhill all the time and spike the action. That is really not my playing style. I can do it, but I am more comfortable reading and spiking downhill when I need to.”
Andre Odom, Junior’s agent, is hearing Trotter could be a second-day pick, with a chance to go as high as late in the first round.
“But we are hearing anywhere in the area as two or four, and every NFL team has shown considerable attention in Junior,” Odom said. “I feel good about Day Two, and Jeremiah is one of those limited additions, not only as a player but as a person. He is a phenomenal talent, but what he brings as a leader adds exceptional value to a team and the value to the linebacker’s room. He will push hard every day, not only making himself better, but everyone around him better. I know the Eagles’ fanbase want him. I was raised in Philly. I am an Eagles’ fan.
“It makes a ton of sense. They know what his father brought to the table. His father is still beloved here. It’s a natural tie. He decided to raise his kids here. His father even said it, he would never put on a Cowboys’ jersey. The Trotters do not look at the Eagles as a team, but as a fraternity, as a family. These fans would go berserk if Jeremiah was chosen by the Eagles. If the Eagles did not pull the trigger, and Jeremiah is there, I can see Eagles’ fans being totally upset. He can fill the void Day One here for the Eagles.”
One AFC executive was quoted as saying about Junior on the NFL scouting report, “Really smart. Always under control. He gets guys lined up and he’s really quick to read and react. If he was a little bigger I could see him going in the first [round].”
As for Trotter Sr., he will try to tame his anxiety until his son’s name is called—and it will be called.
Where is the question.
“Look at the NFL right now, look at Patrick Queen (6-foot, 230), who is faster, but Junior is bigger, look at Nick Bolton (who Junior is compared to), he is 5-11, 230, Devin White is 6-foot, so we do not worry about all of that,” Jeremiah Sr. said in reference to the size question. “Junior has been dealing with the size thing his whole life. The bottom line is he can play the game. And if he gets picked by Dallas, I’ll be there supporting him. I’ll just wear his Clemson jersey to games (laughs).”
Joseph Santoliquito is a hall of fame, award-winning sportswriter based in the Philadelphia area who has written feature stories for SI.com, ESPN.com, NFL.com, MLB.com, Deadspin and The Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News. In 2006, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for a special project piece for ESPN.com called “Love at First Beep.” He is most noted for his award-winning ESPN.com feature on high school wrestler A.J. Detwiler in February 2006, which appeared on SportsCenter. In 2015, he was elected president of the Boxing Writers Association of America
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