Trotter Jr. will learn where he’s headed to play at the next level when he hears his named called in the 2024 NFL Draft, which is scheduled to be held in Detroit from April 25–27.
Mel Kiper Jr. sees a bright NFL future ahead for Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
The longtime ESPN NFL Draft analyst doesn’t currently project the Clemson linebacker to be a first-round pick, but that doesn’t mean Kiper isn’t high on Trotter.
During a recent appearance on ACC Network’s ACC PM show, Kiper spoke highly of Trotter, a Butkus Award finalist and All-America selection by a slew of different outlets in 2023.
The 6-foot, 230-pounder was credited with a team-high 88 tackles, a team-best 15.0 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two interceptions (including one he returned 28 yards for a touchdown) over 12 games (all starts) as a junior for the Tigers this past season.
“You saw Jeremiah Trotter Jr. have a phenomenal year at Clemson,” Kiper said. “Go back to that Notre Dame game – 11 tackles, he had a couple sacks, he had the interception return for a touchdown. Go back to the Miami game – all over the field with 11 tackles. North Carolina game – 10-plus tackles.”
The son of Jeremiah Trotter Sr. — a four-time Pro Bowler who played 12 NFL seasons for the Eagles, Redskins and Buccaneers from 1998-2009 — Trotter Jr. is the No. 2 off-ball linebacker in this year’s draft class, behind only Texas A&M’s Edgerrin Cooper, according to Kiper’s latest position rankings.
Kiper expects Trotter Jr. to be taken in the second round and doesn’t think the team that drafts him will be disappointed.
“Jeremiah Trotter Jr., I loved his dad coming out of Stephen F. Austin. Heck of an NFL career,” Kiper said. “This kid comes to play every week. He will be a second-round pick more than likely, but I think be a whale of an NFL player.”
A multi-time All-American, Trotter Jr. finished his Clemson career credited with 202 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 13 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and four interceptions (including two returned for touchdowns) over 39 career games (26 starts) from 2021-23.
Trotter Jr. exited Clemson as one of only 14 FBS players in the last 20 seasons to record 10-plus sacks, four-plus interceptions, three-plus forced fumbles and multiple pick-sixes, and he was one of just four to accomplish the feat in a Power Five conference.