Meet the Trotter family tree: NFL Draft prospect Josiah Trotter follows in dad and brother's linebacker footsteps originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Trotter family is well-known among NFL fans, and another member is trying to carve his own path in the league. Josiah Trotter is set to join the NFL after three years in college, two at West Virginia and one in Missouri, following in the footsteps of a few family members.
"Just growing up, my dad coming through this, my brother, watching him. It's just fun to be able to carry that legacy, carry that last name, and just continue going. I enjoy that process of it." Trotter said, via the Carolina Panthers.
Trotter has big shoes to fill, as both his dad and brother had big accomplishments in the NFL, but Josiah hopes he can join their company. Here's a breakdown of the Trotter family.
Josiah is the youngest son of former Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. After his third season in college, Josiah relied a lot on his dad's advice to determine whether he should enter the NFL Draft.
"It was really a big decision for me and my dad," Trotter said. "We really wanted to pray about it first, do our due diligence, homework. My dad, just being a big factor in that, doing his homework, whether people reached out to him or he reached out to people, trying to figure out what was the best decision for me, and the opportunity."
Jeremiah Trotter played three seasons at Stephen F. Austin from 1995 to 1997. At the time, the Lumberjacks were part of the Southland Conference as the program has been a Division I FCS football program for its entire existence.
The Eagles drafted Trotter with the 72nd pick in the third round of the 1998 draft and would go on to give Philadelphia incredible value with that pick.
Trotter had a long NFL career, playing 11 seasons in the league, mostly with the Eagles. In that span, Trotter had six seasons with at least 100 tackles and six seasons with at least one sack as a middle linebacker.
In 2016, Trotter was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame for his productions with the organization.
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Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is Josiah Trotter's older brother. Growing up, Josiah looked up to Jeremiah Jr., especially considering the two were both pursuing careers in the NFL.
"It was definitely an experience with him. Being the younger brother, sometimes you get beat up. Sometimes you win games, you lose games with him," Trotter said, via the Carolina Panthers. "But it was fun. I love having him as an older brother. He's the reason I love playing football. Just watching him, he just means a lot to me. He's a big factor why I'm the player I am today."
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. spent three seasons at Clemson before entering the draft in 2024. From 2021 to 2023, Trotter Jr. played in 39 games for the Tigers and totaled 192 tackles, 29.5 tackles-for-loss, 13 sacks four interceptions and three forced fumbles.
Great to see Jeremiah Trotter Junior with big Pick 6 for Clemson against Notre Dame during the week that his dad was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. It’s been a tough year for their family losing Tammi Trotter, Jeremiah Senior‘s wifepic.twitter.com/2t7U5qDPk6
The Eagles drafted Trotter was drafted with pick No. 155 in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft, bringing another member of the Trotter family to Philadelphia.
Just like it's meant to be@TrotterJr54 | #FlyEaglesFlypic.twitter.com/WAO5YQ9cLj
Trotter Jr. has been in the NFL since 2024, playing in every game for the Eagles in that span. As a rookie, Trotter Jr. was a part of the Eagles Super Bowl championship team, doing what his dad never did.
The Trotter matriarch was Tammi Trotter, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 46 after a fight with breast cancer. Tammi was an associate broker realtor for 18 years while her husband played in the NFL.
I’m stunned and heartbroken to learn of the passing of a true bright light in this world.Tammi Trotter - a go-getter, who loved her family fiercely and raised good humans. I had no idea she was sick. Join me in keeping @JTrotter_54 and his kids in your thoughts. Cancer is evil pic.twitter.com/rmE2iRSoZo