Bleeding Green Nation
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...
