Former St Joes Prep LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr follows his father footsteps being drafted by the Eagles

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Anthony Franklin | April 27, 2024

The St. Joe’s Prep football program has been a national powerhouse program for almost a decade. Many great players have donned the uniform and left a life long impression on the program and school. Jeremiah Trotter Sr. a Texas native was drafted by Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2023 3rd round at #72 overall. He would go on to have a great career here in Philadelphia beloved by all Eagles fans who nicknamed him “The Ax Man” throughout his 8 year career here. Upon retiring in 2009 he would decide to make the Philly area his permanent residence where both of his sons who fell in love with the game would gain knowledge and training with the legend.

Jeremiah Jr would enroll at SJ Prep as a freshman and instantly make an impression earning the coaches trust to be thrusted into the starting lineup. He would earn all league, all city and all state honors while also racking up 3 state championships before graduating in 2020. Among his offers were Penn State, Michigan State, Baylor and South Carolina along with Clemson. He would ultimately choose Clemson and enroll early in January 2021. It didn’t take long for Jeremiah Jr to earn his coaches and teammate trust as he would play immediately mainly on special teams as a true freshman racking up 15 tackles and a sack in the 13 games. As a sophomore he would earn the starting ILB position and shine accumulating 89 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 2 interceptions (returning one for a score) and a forced fumble. His play earned him numerous 2nd and 3rd team all American honors as well as 2nd team All-ACC honors.

In 2023 he was named as one of the top returning linebackers in the nation and his play on the field helped him become a finalist for the Butkus Award which is annually awarded to the top linebacker in the country. As a junior Trotter rang up 88 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss including 5.5 sacks and 2  interceptions including 1 he returned for a touchdown. After his season he would declare for the 2024 NFL draft and begin training for his childhood dream. At 6-0 230lbs he’s smaller than Jeremiah Sr but was praised by scouts, analysts and draft experts for his high motor, high football IQ and great instincts.

Mock drafts had Jeremiah Jr all over the board from late 2nd round to as low as the 5th round. He spent draft day with his father watching younger brother Josiah a redshirt freshman LB at West Virginia compete in their spring game. After the game while he and Sr were in the car awaiting Josiah to get in he received the call of his life from the Philadelphia Eagles stating they had traded up to draft him at #155 overall in the 5th round.

St Joes Prep now has 2 players drafted in this 2024 draft as Marvin Harrison Jr was selected Thursday night in the 1st round #4 overall to the Arizona Cardinals. Jeremiah is now the 5th current active SJP player in the league with Jon Runyan Jr (Giants), Marvin Harrison Jr, Olamide Zaccheaus (Washington), and D’Andre Swift (Chicago).

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