The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Missouri LB Josiah Trotter with the No. 46 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
Josiah Trotter perfectly defines the phrases “heat-seeking missile” and “plays with his hair on fire”. The 6’2″, 237-pound linebacker may not have his father’s size (262-pound Jeremiah Trotter), but Jeremiah did pass down his instincts against the run, and the younger Trotter has the speed and athleticism to capitalize.
Also, Josiah’s older brother, Jeremiah Jr., was a fifth-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024.
The former 3-star recruit began his college career at West Virginia in 2023 but didn’t play as a true freshman after suffering a torn ACL during spring practices.
He bounced back and was a starter as a redshirt freshman, though, collecting 92 tackles, four tackles for loss, half a sack, an interception, and two passes defended. That was good enough to earn Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and honorable mention honors.
Trotter transferred to Missouri ahead of this past season and racked up 84 tackles, 13 TFLs, two sacks, and a pass defended to become a first-team All-SEC performer.
Matt Holder has been a part of B/R’s Scouting Department for four seasons. He also writes about the Las Vegas Raiders and NFL draft for SB Nation’s Silver and Black Pride, and co-hosts a YouTube Channel, Tape Don’t Lie, providing film breakdowns and more draft prospect analysis.