“They Got To Feel Me Through The Tape”
August 7th, 2026
Rookie inside linebacker Josiah Trotter has two personalities.
Joe cannot emphasize enough how Bucs second-round pick linebacker Josiah Trotter seems like a real-deal, hit-the-ground-running rookie who will perform this season beyond his 21 years on the planet.
Trotter seems hard-wired to be an NFL player. The pads came on at Bucs training camp early this week and the real Trotter emerged.
He’s a polite, well-mannered and well-spoken guy off the field. On the field, he’s got an alter ego.
“When I put the pads on, Josiah’s out the window, I’m just become ‘Trot’ now at that point,” Trotter said today after practice.
Age makes no difference on the field, Trotter said, so he’s there to set the tone and play with an edge. He sees it as his duty as a linebacker.
“I feel like that’s everywhere I’ve been within college, little league, whatever the case is,” Trotter said. “That’s just how my dad brought us up, having that edge, having that mindset. You know, as a middle linebacker, you got to bring that. It’s only going to come from the linebacker, and that’s where it starts. I feel like trying to be that edge, that piece that comes in. When [opponents] see, when they watch film, I want them to know. They got to feel me through the tape. I feel like that’s the biggest thing I want to bring to this team, to this defense and whatever role that is.”
Of course, Trotter’s dad is four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Trotter.
Six years ago Bucs fans saw this kind of mindset from Antoine Winfield Jr., their second-round pick in 2020. Winfield stepped in and balled out, and his father was a Pro Bowl cornerback. Josiah Trotter seems ripe for the same future this fall.
As a bonus, Trotter, who seems destined to start alongside free agent linebacker Alex Anzalone, said he trained with Anzalone this offseason in Tampa. Their bonding goes back months, not just a handful of practices.
Joe sees Trotter as a serious upgrade from SirVocea Dennis, and Anzalone as a major upgrade from shell-of-himself Lavonte David. The Bucs defense should have a very different feel this year. Hopefully, it’s unrecognizable from the 2025 edition.
August 7th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
What a huge lift it would be if Trotter is the stud LB we have needed for so long, AND right when David retired.
Let’s GO!
August 7th, 2026 at 4:52 pm
What’s one hell of a quote when taken without context
August 7th, 2026 at 5:07 pm
Bain, and Trotter are going to be a big reason this defense turns around this season.
August 7th, 2026 at 5:12 pm
LOL Hunter…stilll a great quote nonetheless
August 7th, 2026 at 5:44 pm
This defense is stacked……..Dline, Linebackers, Safety……..perhaps a question with CBs…..but lots of depth throughout….new blood….attitude.
Really good draft picks…..Bain, Trotter, Scott….
I am optimistic.
Just look at the additions at OLB…….Bain, Walker, Mohammed…added to Ya Ya and Nelson. We should be much improved.
August 7th, 2026 at 6:16 pm
Go Bucs! Different team this year. Nothing wrong with being excited before the season. See so many people commenting with “we do this every year”. No crap man. That’s sports. Cheer for your team and hope for the best.
August 7th, 2026 at 6:31 pm
Careful Joe. Gushing about Bain, Scott, Walker and Trotter sounds like someone stoked about an improved defense. I sure hope so and yes, I’m familiar with the dangers of hope.
August 7th, 2026 at 6:33 pm
Once we draft pir next David/Brooks, we’ll have the best ILB duo again
August 7th, 2026 at 6:35 pm
Our draft this year was nailed by JL
August 7th, 2026 at 6:44 pm
Young Alvin Mack, if you know you know.
August 7th, 2026 at 6:45 pm
and Anzalone as a major upgrade from shell-of-himself Lavonte David.
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I understand what you mean, but damn, ………..that was hard to read!
August 7th, 2026 at 6:45 pm
@tampa bay Bucs fan
You are right man. We have added crazy depth.
We look really deep at every position except CB.
I thought Elijah Roberts and Elijah Simmons looked good last year as rookies.
Robinson, Nacho and Capeheart were great additions to replace Hall and Gaines.
If we just had 2 more experienced outside corners, I would be totally satisfied with our defensive roster.
Rozeboom was also a solid signing at MLB.