Talent, Pedigree Keep Josiah Trotter Ready
May 9th, 2026
Second-round pick rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter.
So projected starting Bucs inside linebacker Josiah Trotter turned 21 years old three weeks ago following two seasons of college football.
Josiah Trotter was a medical redshirt as a freshman at the University of West Virginia. Then he had a season on the field followed by a transfer to the University of Missouri, where SEC coaches voted him an All-Conference linebacker.
The Bucs grabbed him at No. 46 overall.
Trotter addressed a question yesterday at Bucs rookie minicamp of how he’s been able to thrive quickly in new environments. Trotter basically said that’s all he’s known as the son of four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Trotter.
“I just think it’s just the God-given abilities and gifts that God blessed me with to be able to use that. And having my dad in my life, he helped me a lot,” Trotter said. “I feel like my whole life I was playing up, and able to adjust pretty quickly. So having that in my life definitely helped. And then just my [maturity,] I just feel like I do a good job coming into the building being about business, being about ball.”
Trotter added that he’s all about attacking one day at a time and earning the respect of my teammates and coaches.
The past? Everything I did [in college] doesn’t matter,” Trotter said.
Yes, Joe buys the predraft chatter that Trotter is weak in coverage. But Joe also buys the predraft chatter that Trotter has been groomed to be a stud linebacker and simply needs more experience and seasoning in pass coverage. In short, he’ll develop — and quickly.
It can’t hurt that Bucs inside linebackers coach Mike Caldwell is a family friend of the Trotter. Josiah Trotter noted he spent Thanksgivings with his new position coach.
Joe sure hopes the Bucs craft practice to get Trotter as much coverage experience as possible. The Bucs offense sure has the weapons to challenge Trotter to the extreme.
May 9th, 2026 at 2:14 pm
He runs a 4.45.
Weak in coverage?
He ran a faster 40 time than Mike Evans or Cooper Kupp.
KJ Britt ran a 4.7. Johnathan Banks ran à 4.6.
Carlton Davis ran a 4.55
Weak in coverage? What a joke.
He’s 21 and will improve.
He runs faster than many corners and receivers in the league.
He’ll be fine!
Go Bucs!
May 9th, 2026 at 2:27 pm
Right on Teacherman 🤘🏼
May 9th, 2026 at 2:28 pm
Mike Caldwell was a teammate of Jeremiah Trotter
They were teammates for 4 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles
Josiah Trotter is really good MIKE LB
Especially for a guy with only 2 years of college experience
I think he has a very promising career with the Bucs
May 9th, 2026 at 2:38 pm
Look forward to Trotter being a full time starter by the end of the season. His Dad will help help him and with the right coaching he will become better in coverage. GO BUCS!
May 9th, 2026 at 2:48 pm
“The past? Everything I did [in college] doesn’t matter,” Trotter said.“
Great mind set. You’re in the NFL, gotta forge a new way for yourself.
May 9th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
I have to say that what he says, what Bain says and what Scott says sound a lot like the core values Sapp and Brooks and Lynch and Barber and Rice brought to the team back in the Halcyon days.
After last year’s lies from Licht and Bowles, it is refreshing to see new MEN. And these guys are all battle tested at good programs.
May 9th, 2026 at 3:02 pm
“The past? Everything I did [in college] doesn’t matter,” Trotter said.
__________
I think Bain has the same philosophy although he might not be referring to his play on the field.
😉
May 9th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
Trotter seems to be OK in coverage when he just backs up a couple/few steps and has over-the-middle zone responsibility – which allows him to keep and see everything in front of him – and continue to play mostly ‘downhill’…
Its when he was asked to play man – turn his hips and run with a better athlete that Josiah struggled.
The later will be mostly Anzalone’s job.
Until Trotter improves in coverage – you can always bring in a 5th or 6th DB in 3rd and long or whatever type situations – which is likely what Todd will do this year…..
May 9th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
Well it appears he is the new starting ILB. He is only 21 and yes hopefully he gets the reps experience and most of all the teaching needed to round out into a great player. We definitely need him. I think the concern is we were told likewise with Dennis and Britt. However, Trotter appears to to have greater skills already. He is dead on about nothing in college now matters. He is at a different level different Mind set. He understands it is what he learns and does now. Gats off to the guy. The Bucs have a strong history of great LBs. absent LD we have not seen that for awhile. Currently I am more worried about our corners. We need 2 new starting corners badly.
May 9th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
Solid pick. A lot of nice additions on Defense via draft and Free Agency that can only help improve that Putrid Pass Defense we’ve had these last few years. Get off the field on 3rd down and this team will be just fine. Go Bucs!
May 9th, 2026 at 3:44 pm
i thought that was a pic of bain without his shades on
May 9th, 2026 at 4:59 pm
I’m really happy we drafted Trotter. The guy is a wrecking ball; he just wreaks havoc. It’s gonna be fun watching him.
Also, no worries about his coverage skills. He struggled the first few games last season but catched up quickly.
May 9th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
But, how long are HIS arms? All seriousness I believe he will be a good player. He better be or else this looks like another friends and family pick (Morrison).
May 9th, 2026 at 5:03 pm
But, how long are HIS arms? All seriousness I believe he will be a good player. He better be or else this looks like another friends and family pick (Morrison).
May 9th, 2026 at 5:10 pm
Sign the contract and begin your career!
I get it on one hand but on the other, if you are worth a sheet your real money will be in your next contract.
May 9th, 2026 at 5:52 pm
I wonder who the Bucs would pick if J-Rod was also on the board. Was Trotter their top rated LB?
May 9th, 2026 at 5:58 pm
Caldwell needs to give Trotter a lot of coverage work in camp. Until Trotter is good in coverage during the season, you can bet that OCs will attacks him – even on early downs. Sure, Bowles can sub in a DB in obvious passing downs, but that doesn’t solve Trotter’s coverage in early downs. I certainly think he’ll improve as the season goes on, but how quickly can he become solid? HOPE.
May 9th, 2026 at 7:28 pm
Trotter didn’t run a 4.45, that’s a google false statement, he didn’t run at the combine or pro day, his older brother ran a 4.81 at 220 pounds, Bowles thinks he runs in the 4.6 range if you believe anything he says
May 9th, 2026 at 7:48 pm
Thi
May 9th, 2026 at 7:49 pm
This kid will be good as a rookie and will continue to get better
GO BUCS
May 9th, 2026 at 8:57 pm
We found our thumper middle 😀
May 9th, 2026 at 9:07 pm
Just wait until the Guru coaches him up!
Bowles pass defense is something of legend in the NFL.
Legendarily putrid that is. Opposing offenses have season highs in yardage, TDs, and completion percentage.
So yeah, it was brilliant to get a LB that can’t cover anyone.
Pure genius really. And we have two Todd Bowles now!!!
May 9th, 2026 at 11:09 pm
Teacherman Says:
May 9th, 2026 at 2:14 pm
He runs a 4.45.
Weak in coverage?
——–
Great post except one little thing. Trotter didn’t run at the Combine or his Pro Day. Quit lying. There js zero documented proof he ran anywhere. BTW, 4.45 means he can cover? Does Devjin White know this?.dude was faster but couldn’t cover anyone.
May 10th, 2026 at 4:48 am
We’ll hit ILB next year….we’re good for now.
May 10th, 2026 at 8:54 am
He hasn’t signed his contract yet so B. Morrison all over again. He’s missing valuable time right out of the gate.
May 10th, 2026 at 10:43 am
SirVocea Dennis II.