Josiah Trotter

● Physically strapped together with solid definition in his quads and arms ● Fills downhill with violent intentions to create knockback and quickly shed ● Sound in run fits and does a nice job leveraging space ● Quick trigger; doesn’t slow into contact as a tackler ● Strong base to hold his ground while contorting/dipping frame to escape blocking hands ● Toughness instilled in him at a young age by his linebacker father ● Fantastic blitzing value because of his downhill speed and urgency ● Competes with contagious energy and advanced communication skills for his age ● Steady tackle production

● Looks lost at times reacting in coverage ● Can be attacked on dynamic routes by backs and tight ends ● Doesn’t always feel routes behind him; late to read/anticipate quarterback’s eyes ● Average sideline-to-sideline speed ● Occasional false-stepper, which can leave him behind ● Inconsistent finding balance and breaking down as a tackler on the move ● Torn ACL during 2023 spring practices, which required season-ending surgery; missed Missouri’s 2025 bowl game because of a minor knee injury (Nov. 2025)

A one-year starter at Missouri (and two-year starter overall), Trotter wore the green dot as the Mike linebacker in defensive coordinator Corey Batoon’s 4-2-5 base scheme. An ACL injury robbed him of his first season, but he rebounded quickly in 2024 as a Freshman All-American at West Virginia. He transferred to the SEC for the 2025 season and led the Tigers in tackles, which earned him first-team All-SEC honors, alongside Georgia’s CJ Allen. Like his All-Pro linebacker father, Trotter is a hammer looking for a nail. He is quick to key and diagnose versus the run and is a physical filler who can punch his way off blocks and square up as a tackler. However, it is the opposite against the pass, as he displays inconsistent route recognition, which often leaves him out of place and playing catch up. His field-general competitiveness and energy will ingratiate him with pro coaches. Overall, Trotter doesn’t have playmaking awareness in coverage (at least, not yet), but his run instincts and take-on skills are among the best in this draft class. He looks like a starting NFL Mike.