Josiah Trotter
LB
#45
Experience: R
Height: 6-2
Age: 21
Weight: 237 lbs
College: Missouri
2026 SEASON
- Solo26
- SCK1
- FF0
- INT1
Defense
| YEAR | TEAM | G | Total | Solo | AST | SCK | SFTY | PDEF | INT | TDS | YDS | AVG | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 5 | 49 | 26 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 38 | 38 | 38 |
| TOTAL | 5 | 49 | 26 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 38 | 38 | 38 |
Biography
ACQUIRED BY BUCS:
Selected by the Buccaneers as a second-round pick (46th overall) in the 2026 NFL Draft.
ACQUIRED BY BUCS:
Selected by the Buccaneers as a second-round pick (46th overall) in the 2026 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE:
Appeared in 24 career games with 23 starts across one season (2024) at West Virginia University and one season (2025) at the University of Missouri, totaling 176 tackles (17.0 for loss), 2.5 sacks, three passes defensed and one interception.
Started all 12 games in his lone season at Missouri in 2025, leading the Tigers with 84 tackles while adding 13.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and one pass defensed, earning first-team All-SEC honors from the league's coaches and second-team recognition from the Associated Press.
Helped anchor a Missouri defense that ranked eighth nationally in total defense (277.3 yards per game), 13th nationally in rushing defense (103.8 yards per game), 17th nationally in scoring defense (18.9 points per game), and third in the SEC in total defense.
Earned an 89.3 Pro Football Focus run-defense grade in 2025, ranking among the nation's top linebackers against the run.
Recorded five games with at least eight tackles in 2025, including a season-high 13 tackles against Oklahoma, 11 tackles against South Carolina, and 10 tackles against Arkansas.
Transferred to Missouri after earning Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors at West Virginia in 2024, becoming the first Mountaineer to receive the award.
Started 11-of-12 games as a freshman at West Virginia in 2024, recording 92 tackles (4.0 for loss), 0.5 sack, two passes defensed and one interception while earning Freshman All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America.
Finished his freshman campaign with seven games of at least eight tackles, including career highs of 12 tackles against Iowa State and Cincinnati.
PERSONAL:
Attended Saint Joseph's Preparatory School (Philadelphia, Pa.).
Was a two-time all-state selection and the 2021 All-Eastern Pennsylvania Football Co-Player of the Year.
Helped lead Saint Joseph's Prep to two PIAA Class 6A state championships.
Was a four-star recruit and ranked among the nation's top prospects by ESPN and Rivals.
Is the son of former NFL linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Sr., a four-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time First-Team All-Pro selection and member of the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame.
His older brother, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., played linebacker at Clemson before being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Majored in business during his collegiate career.