Clemson Tigers linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (54) Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles hope Jeremiah Trotter Jr. can be a 'chop' off the old block

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 2/27/24

Could Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. follow in his father’s footsteps and play for the Philadelphia Eagles? It’s possible, but it’ll be an uphill climb.

Trotter Sr. was a third-round pick by the Eagles in 1998. After winning the starting middle linebacker position in his second year, Trotter led the team for three straight seasons, appearing in two Pro Bowls with a first-team All-Pro in 2000.

After a two-year stint with Washington, Trotter returned to Philadelphia where he made two more Pro Bowls, played in Super Bowl XXXIX and earned the nickname, “Axe Man” for celebrating quarterback sacks with a signature “wood-chopping” motion.

He was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 2016, leaving big shoes to fill for his namesake.

Trotter Jr. had 191 tackles, 12 sacks, four interceptions and three forced fumbles in three years at Clemson earning First-team All-ACC honors in 2023.

Last May, former ESPN analyst Todd McShay had the team drafting Trotter at No. 30 with his first 2024 mock draft. This year, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. still thinks he could go in the second round, predicting he’ll be “a whale of an NFL player” on ACC Network’s ACC PM.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. with the sack pic.twitter.com/4Oejsg3etf
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) September 23, 2023

According to Jake Rabadi of The Liberty Line, the Eagles plan to meet with Trotter Jr. at the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine. That should excite fans who remember seeing his father play but that doesn’t mean he’s a perfect fit.

Clemson didn’t drop Trotter into coverage often and Pro Football Focus gives the linebacker low grades for pass coverage and lower marks for stopping the run. A second-round pick would be an awfully high third-down, pass-rush specialist at the NFL level.

More importantly, Philadelphia’s defense looked overmatched in losing six of their last seven games in 2023 and the two leading tacklers at linebacker (Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow) are both free agents. Without better talent around him, Trotter could struggle to make an impact.

Still, it’s fun to imagine the son of a Philadelphia legend roaming the field at his father’s position. Hall of Fame safety and beloved former Eagle Brian Dawkins also has a son at Clemson, but he's not draft-eligible for a couple of years.

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