Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. will be one of the most sought-after players at his position in the upcoming NFL Draft in April.
Of course, there’s already plenty of buzz about the potential of him being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, not only due to their major need at the linebacker position but also because his father, Jeremiah Trotter Sr., played eight seasons for the team.
Former Eagles Player Ike Reese Says Jeremiah Trotter Jr. in the Second Round Is a “No-Brainer’
Ike Reese, who played linebacker with the Eagles while Trotter Sr. was in that room, campaigned for the team to draft his son in the second round of this year’s draft on his show on Philadelphia sports radio station 94 WIP.
“This kid is from here! What’re you talking about? He was born and raised right here.” Reese went on. “This is a no-brainer as far as I’m concerned. This is the biggest layup the Eagles have had since I don’t know when!”
For @Ike58Reese, it's a no-brainer. #TrotOrNot pic.twitter.com/5nsk6pBzip
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) February 28, 2024
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Trotter Jr. confirmed that he met with the Eagles for a pre-draft interview.
“It would be a blessing to play for the Eagles as well,” Trotter Jr. said when he met with the media at the combine.
Trotter Jr. started 26 consecutive games at middle linebacker for Clemson during his final two years in college. He finished his Clemson career with 202 tackles, including 29.5 total tackles for loss and 13 sacks. He also recorded 13 pass break-ups, three forced fumbles, and four interceptions, with two of those being pick-sixes.
Last season, the linebacker position was a major area of weakness for an Eagles defense that largely struggled. They had a rotation of veterans at the position, with Zach Cunningham, Nicholas Morrow, and Shaquille Leonard playing the majority of the snaps; however, they’re each free agents.
Third-round pick Nakobe Dean was expected to step into a bigger role last season, but injuries limited him to just five games. Drafting Trotter Jr. to pair with Dean would give the Eagles a young nucleus at the position.
The Eagles just hired Vic Fangio as their new defensive coordinator this offseason, and traditionally, teams will help out their new coordinators with a few beneficial selections.
KEEP READING: Top LBs in the 2024 NFL Draft
Trotter Sr. played eight years in Philadelphia and was on the Eagles team that made it to the Super Bowl following the 2004 season. He was inducted into the Eagles’ Hall of Fame in 2016, and plenty of fans in Philadelphia want to see if his son can follow along in his footsteps.
“If Axe-Man Jr. is available in the second round, we take him,” Reese said. “That’s all that matters.”
All the 2024 NFL Draft resources you need — the draft order, the top QBs, the Top 100 prospects, and the full 2024 Big Board — right at your fingertips at Pro Football Network!