Draft season is just around the corner and there is no better time than now to start breaking down NFL prospects. This class is packed with players that are going to make an impact at the next level. I will cover each one of them from the big dudes in the trenches to the erasers patrolling the secondary. Let’s get started with a prospect from the ACC, Jeremiah Trotter Jr of the Clemson Tigers.
The Background
Jeremiah Trotter Jr is a legacy prospect as he’s the son of 12-year veteran and four-time Pro Bowler Jeremiah Trotter. Trotter Jr was a 5★ recruit from St Joseph’s High School located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rated as the No. 7 overall player in the nation by ESPN.com, including ranks as the nation’s No. 1 linebacker and the top player in Pennsylvania. Trotter Jr helped lead the team to win two straight 6A state championships, including 2020, when the team won its championship game, 62-13 and led St. Joseph’s to a No. 3 national ranking according to USA Today.
Trotter Jr spent three seasons with the Clemson Tigers, where he was a two-time All-American, 2nd team (22’) & 1st team (23’). He became Clemson’s first multi-time All-American at linebacker since Keith Adams in the 1999 and 2000 seasons. Trotter Jr leaves Clemson as one of only 14 FBS players in the last 20 seasons to record 10+ sacks, 4+ interceptions, 3+ forced fumbles, and multiple pick-sixes; he was one of four (UCLA’s Akeem Ayers, Missouri’s Sean Weatherspoon, and Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh) to accomplish the feat in a Power Five conference. He also became the sixth Butkus Award finalist in program history.
In his three seasons with the Tigers, Trotter Jr played in 39 games and 1431 snaps, with 26 consecutive starts, while finishing his career with totals of 192 tackles, 113 being solo stops, 58.8% solo rate, 29½ TFLs, 26 QB hurries, 13 sacks, three forced fumbles, four interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, 14 PBUs, and a 14.4% missed tackle rate. Trotter Jr had back-to-back seasons of 80+ tackles, ten TFLs, five sacks, and seven PBUs. He graded extremely well in my IDP Rookie Grading system with his Blue Chip Rating (14.177) & Big Play Score (1.679), both of which back up his playmaking abilities.
Player Breakdown
The most recognized strength for Trotter Jr is his NFL DNA, which I mentioned above! That lineage is important and earned! When I watch Trotter Jr play the first thing that stands out to me is how he disengages from second-level blocks! Watch the tape, it pops! He plays the same both horizontally or vertically and is as reliable as I have seen lately. He has the DNA, knowledge, and skillset to be something special for eight or ten years. He has the college production and the film to prove just how good he has been. Trotter jr has been everything the Tigers have needed, whether as a pass rusher, in coverage, or just a downhill stud. Trotter Jr has great instincts and plays with a natural feel for the game.
Trotter Jr is listed at 6’0”/229 lbs and while his height is not ideal (20th percentile), it's never been an issue with his production and film as proof. If you look at his testing numbers from high school and early college years, there is a lot of room for improvement and that will make the combine and his pro day extremely important. With that said he’s a better player than he was then, but he’s gonna need to test well if he wants to go 1st round to early 2nd round. Trotter Jr has very good but not great speed and moves well athletically. He processes the game very well and is as reliable as you’ll see.
There is a lot to like about Trotter Jr and rightfully so, but he’s not a perfectly clean prospect. He can sometimes get washed at the point of attack and can do a better job of anchoring. While he has shown to be proficient as a pass rusher, he’s not someone who can be counted on to create consistent pressure. Could also benefit from expanding his pass rush toolbox if he wants to be a more rounded pass rusher. In the run game, he comes downhill in a hurry and with physicality. Trotter Jr also needs to clean up his angles to the ball and not rely on talent to save him.
NFL & Fantasy Projection
Is Jeremiah Trotter Jr following in his father’s footsteps? Nah, he's way more talented! Some will look at his production at Clemson and say it could be better, but you have to consider the roster around him, which was stocked full of stars. Could his or should his numbers be better? Yeah but look at the team he’s played with. Lots of mouths to feed in Clemson. I like Trotter Jr a lot and if he’s a second-round selection for the right team, I love him. I do believe there is some potential for him to slide into the back of the first round.
For fantasy, I like Barrett a ton! However, I’m not gonna overspend on him. You have to remember linebacker is a deep position, right? Even with that thought, Trotter Jr is one of the top linebackers in this class. I doubt that it will happen but if you could draft him late second or early third round that is stealing. He has some things to work on such as tackling, angles to the ball, etc, but he’s a fairly clean prospect that should go no later than the 2nd round in the NFL draft and make an impact right away. A must draft in all IDP formats.
Thanks for reading my article. I am a member of the FSWA (Fantasy Sports Writers of America). Follow me on Twitter at @HollywoodTitan, on Facebook on my IDPNation page, on Reddit in the fantasy football IDP sub — I’m user KingTitan1 — and tune in each week and listen to IDP Nation and Devy IDP Grind, the podcasts that I co-host, on several different platforms. Feel free to email or dm me with any questions that you have, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy
