Josiah Trotter Scouting Report
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Sam Simon/MissourionSI)
School: Missouri
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Position: LB
HT: 6’2
WT: 237 lbs
Background: Josiah Trotter is the son of former Eagles’ All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Sr. His brother, Jeremiah Jr., was an All-American at Clemson before being drafted by the Eagles in 2024 and winning a Super Bowl as a rookie. Josiah was a 3-star linebacker out of Philadelphia. He was a top 50 linebacker in the class and top 10 player in Pennsylvania. Trotter played for St. Joseph’s Prep, where he won two state titles and was the 2021 All-Eastern PA Football Co-Player of the Year. Trotter committed to play for West Virginia over Clemson, Penn State, Ohio State, and others.
College: Trotter redshirted in 2023 before becoming one of the best linebackers in the country in 2024. He was a 2024 Freshman All-American, Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, and an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection. These honors come in a season in which he recorded 92 tackles and 4 TFLs. After the breakout redshirt freshman season, Trotter transferred to Missouri for 2025. In his one season with the Tigers, Trotter recorded 84 tackles, 13 TFLs, and 2 sacks. He was an All-SEC First Team selection. Before the bowl game, Trotter had surgery for a “minor knee injury”.
Strengths: Josiah Trotter combines speed and strength to create for a mismatch at the linebacker position. He is quick to trigger downhill and get in the mix at the line of scrimmage. His run fits are quick and effective as he penetrates gaps by getting low and skinny to leak through into the backfield. He remains low throughout the entirety of his rep, turning into a predator in pursuit of the football. Trotter takes good angles to the football to cut off ball carriers in open space. Trotter is an effective blitzer with high pass rushing upside for the linebacker position. He has a nice toolkit of pass rushing moves that allow him to win on the edge. Trotter possesses serious pop in his hands to knock offensive linemen back when he initiates contact in the phone booth. In the open field, he avoids blockers with effortless movement skills and the ability to change direction on a dime.
Weaknesses: Trotter has a strong lower body, but he opens up his frame too much at the point of attack, allowing opponents to get up and under his chest. His base at the line of scrimmage can be too narrow at times, resulting in him getting washed out of the play. When he triggers, he gets tunnel vision and does not see the whole field. He is susceptible to angle blocks. Trotter struggles peeling off his assignments in Cover 2 zone concepts in the intermediate areas of the field. He sticks too long on his initial assignment and leaves the middle of the field open.
Conclusion: Josiah Trotter is a ball-hawking linebacker who likes to get in the mix closer to the line of scrimmage. His coverage abilities need serious improvement if he is going to be a “do it all” linebacker in the middle of an NFL defense. Trotter can be looked at as a linebacker who can blossom from a developmental role into an impact starter by the middle of his rookie contract.
Best Team Fits: MIN, LAR, CAR
Player Comparison: Edgerrin Cooper
Player Grade: Round 3 (79.1)
