Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Bio
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (born December 24, 2002) is an American professional football linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 225 pounds, he plays the middle linebacker position and wears jersey number 54. He was selected by the Eagles in the fifth round, 155th overall, of the 2024 NFL draft after a standout college career at Clemson.
Trotter is the son of former Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, who spent twelve seasons in the NFL. Drafted just over two years after his father’s playing days ended, the younger Trotter has already added a Super Bowl ring to the family name. In February 2025 he helped Philadelphia capture Super Bowl LIX, cementing an impressive start to his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. was born on December 24, 2002, in Hainesport Township, New Jersey. He grew up in the same South Jersey community that shaped much of his childhood, surrounded by a family deeply rooted in football. His father, Jeremiah Trotter, played linebacker in the NFL for twelve seasons and was a familiar presence around the league, giving the younger Trotter an early understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Trotter attended St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one of the most respected football programs in the region. As a senior, he was selected to play in the 2021 All-American Bowl, a recognition reserved for the country’s top high school prospects. Rated a four-star recruit, he drew scholarship offers from South Carolina, Maryland, Georgia Tech, and Michigan State before choosing to continue his football journey at Clemson.
Path to American Football
Growing up in a football household gave Jeremiah Trotter Jr. a clear picture of the work required to reach the NFL. Training alongside a father who had earned Pro Bowl honors provided a daily example of discipline and preparation. The All-American Bowl invitation confirmed what recruiters already believed, that Trotter had the tools to play linebacker at a major college program.
After committing to Clemson, Trotter enrolled early in January 2021, joining the Tigers ahead of most of his classmates. The decision allowed him extra time to learn the defensive scheme, build chemistry with the coaching staff, and adjust to the speed of the college game. His development at Clemson laid the foundation for his eventual selection in the 2024 NFL draft.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Career
Early Career at Clemson (2021–2022)
Trotter joined the Clemson Tigers as an early enrollee in January 2021 and quickly found the field. As a freshman, he appeared in 13 games and finished the season with 22 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one sack. The limited but productive workload gave the coaching staff confidence in his potential heading into his sophomore year.
Entering his second season, Trotter was named a starter at linebacker and became one of the defensive leaders of the Tigers. He was recognized as the Atlantic Coast Conference Linebacker of the Week for Week 7 after recording 13 tackles in a 34–28 win over Florida State. He closed the year with 89 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble, earning second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press.
Clemson Final Season and Draft (2023–2024)
In his junior campaign, Trotter continued to anchor the Tigers defense and was named first-team All-ACC in 2023. His consistency at the linebacker position, combined with his instincts against the run, made him one of the most respected defenders in the conference. After three seasons at Clemson, he declared for the 2024 NFL draft.
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Trotter in the fifth round, 155th overall, bringing him back to the same organization where his father had built his professional reputation. The pick paired a promising young linebacker with a defensive system familiar to the Trotter family.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2024–Present)
Trotter appeared in 17 games with one start during his rookie season, recording a half-sack, 25 tackles, and one pass defended. His most memorable early moment came in the playoffs, when he recovered a fumble forced on the opening kickoff of a Wild Card game against the Green Bay Packers. Philadelphia turned the recovery into an early touchdown and closed out a 22–10 home victory.
He followed that performance with one tackle in Super Bowl LIX, a 40–22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs that delivered the Eagles a championship. As of Week 8 of the 2025 season, Trotter had totaled 36 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and one pass deflection, signaling continued growth in his second professional year.
Driving Style and Strengths
Trotter is recognized for his quick reads at the linebacker position, his ability to attack running lanes, and his reliable tackling in space. His training under his father and his experience in Clemson’s defensive system have shaped a physical, instinct-driven style of play. He continues to develop his pass-coverage skills while remaining a steady presence against the run.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Trotter’s signature achievements are his second-team All-American selection in 2022, his first-team All-ACC honor in 2023, and a Super Bowl LIX championship in his rookie season. His fumble recovery against Green Bay in the Wild Card round remains one of the defining early moments of his NFL career.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Career Wins
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has compiled an impressive list of team and individual accomplishments in a short span. His crowning achievement is a Super Bowl LIX title earned with the Philadelphia Eagles during his rookie season. He also holds conference and national recognition earned at Clemson.
Clemson and NFL Highlights
At Clemson, Trotter earned second-team All-American honors in 2022 and first-team All-ACC recognition in 2023. In the NFL, his first career fumble recovery came in the 2024 Wild Card round against Green Bay, and he closed the postseason by lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy with the Eagles.
Other Performances
Earlier in his career, Trotter competed in the 2021 All-American Bowl, where he was named among the nation’s top high school seniors. His invitation to that game marked the first widely recognized milestone on his path to professional football.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. comes from one of football’s well-known families. His father, Jeremiah Trotter, played linebacker in the NFL for twelve seasons and was a multi-time Pro Bowl selection during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles. The elder Trotter’s career shaped his son’s understanding of the game from an early age.
Personal Life
His brother, Josiah Trotter, played linebacker at the University of Missouri and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2026 NFL Draft, continuing the family’s professional football tradition. His cousin, Terrance Ganaway, is a former NFL running back. The Trotter family remains closely tied to the sport across multiple levels.
2025 Season Performance
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. entered the 2025 season as a defending Super Bowl champion and a young linebacker with a growing role in the Eagles defense. Through the early weeks of the year, he had recorded 36 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and one pass deflection, showing continued development in his second professional campaign.
His performance built on the experience gained during the Eagles’ playoff run and Super Bowl LIX victory. With another year in the team’s defensive system, Trotter has remained a reliable contributor on early downs and in special-teams situations. The 2025 season offers him the chance to expand his responsibilities and further establish himself as a long-term starter in Philadelphia.
Looking ahead, Trotter’s combination of football pedigree, collegiate production, and early NFL success positions him as a player to watch. As the Eagles continue their push for another championship, his progression will be a key storyline for both the team and the broader Trotter football family.