Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is the top inside linebacker in the 2021 recruiting class. While the Clemson commit is talented on his own, it certainly helps to have a former NFL player for a father.
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Of course, you may remember Jeremiah Trotter Sr., a 12-year veteran who was a standout presence on the Philadelphia Eagles defense for nearly a decade.
As for the younger Trotter, he has been tormenting high school offenses at St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia., according to the 247Sports Composite. The four-star prospect ranks as the third-best player in the entire state of Pennsylvania, according to the 247Sports Composite.
The COVID-19 pandemic threatened to shut down high school football in Pennsylvania, and the offseason was a prolonged one this year. Trotter will get the chance to play with his brother, Josiah, one last time.
The Hawks football team has been flat-out dominant. Led by the Trotter brothers and quarterback/Ohio State commit Kyle McCord, the team has won two straight PIAA Class 6A championships and is currently ranked third nationally despite their long gap between games.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Highlights
Having NFL stardom in his lineage certainly helps, but Trotter is amazing in his own right. He can patiently wait for running backs and wide receivers crossing his path and deliver nasty hits to stop yardage gains.
At 6-foot and 210 pounds, Trotter Jr. will likely still grow and gain muscle over the next few years, too. He is unquestionably a player to watch for in the NFL Draft when the time comes for him to leave Clemson.
St. Joe's Prep linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is more than just a chip off the Axe Man's block https://t.co/wVENvWzIpJ
— PhillyVoice (@thephillyvoice) August 25, 2018
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Tigers DC Brent Venables is hoping that he can fill the linebacker role as well as Isaiah Simmons once did, despite the height and weight differences right now.
ILB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Commits to Clemson
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. commits to Clemson https://t.co/Het1YMbp2h
— Inquirer High School Sports (@PhillySportHS) September 8, 2019
Trotter committed to the Clemson Tigers way back in September 2019, but he also had to weigh offers from Baylor, Georgia Tech, Houston, Maryland, Michigan State, South Carolina, and Temple before making his decision.
Penn State was interested, but they never made a formal offer to Trotter. Dabo Swinney has gotten used to knocking around the rest of the ACC, and teams like Boston College, Miami, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, will have their hands full if Trotter reaches his potential.
Former NFL Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Sr.
At #TakingFlight, #Eagles name 2016 Hall of Fame class: Jeremiah Trotter & Merrill Reese: https://t.co/6hejbeWJ2q pic.twitter.com/HyXWgoWVrI
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 31, 2016
The elder Trotter was selected in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft and had a great career with Philly, earning four Pro Bowl selections and one appearance on the All-Pro list. He also appeared in three games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Trotter Sr. was not as highly recruited as his son. He played his college football at Stephen F. Austin University.
The college career of Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has yet to begin, but there is excitement in the air about his potential. Replicating his dad's statistics may be a tall order, but with some seasoning in the NCAA and upward momentum, he may just get there in the future.
