Big Board ranking: #67

Positional ranking: #4

 

Overview

Position: LB

College: Clemson

Class: Junior

Age: 21

 

Measurables

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 228 lbs.

Arm length: 31 1/2″

Hand size: 9 1/4″

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: N/A

10-yard split: N/A

Vertical jump: N/A

Broad jump: N/A

Bench press: 21 reps

3-cone drill: 7.13 sec.

Short shuttle: 4.40 sec.

 

Strengths

Solid overall build. Tremendous as a downhill penetrator with clean looks. Aggressive coming up to fill versus the run. Physical taking on blockers. Identifies pullers and will stop a play before it gets going. Good speed when he gets downhill. Strikes at the midsection/thighs when in position to wrap up. Very effective finishing when he gets in the backfield. Excellent strength to hold his ground when linemen reach him on the second level. Very decisive with great field vision. Movements are fundamentally sound to maximize efficiency. Stays square with a balanced and athletic base. Excellent instincts in zone coverage. Will jump on running backs in underneath man coverage. Soft hands to take the ball away. Very effective as an inside blitzer. Has some fluidity rushing the quarterback. Good ability to recognize a path home. Able to side step running backs in pass protection. Has some dip on looping blitzes/stunts. Often used as a quarterback spy. NFL bloodlines as the son of former All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah Trotter.

 

Weaknesses

Would like to see him take matters into his own hands more trying to make the tackle. Average change-of-direction skills and acceleration. Average pursuit speed to the sideline. Allows too many tackles to slip away. Often needs to attempt low tackles that leave him on the ground. Doesn’t have a ton of range in coverage. A step delayed covering in the flat. Will likely struggle with quicker running backs in coverage. Showed poor effort on long touchdown run by Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman (2023).

 

NFL comparison

Zaire Franklin

 

Conclusion

Overall, Trotter is an aggressive downhill tackler that is at his best penetrating and slipping blockers to get into the backfield. He could fare better versus more traditional between-the-tackle running games at the next level, and Trotter also has the ability to make plays in coverage.