Tag: Jeremiah Trotter Jr

Clemson linebacker named ESPN first-team All-American

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has been recognized as one of the best players in college football.

Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has earned another All-American honor, this time as a first team member by ESPN.

This season, Trotter had a team-high 88 tackles, a team-leading 15.0 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions over 676 snaps over 12 games. He took one of his interceptions to the house. Here is what writer Chris Low had to say about the star linebacker.

Each of Trotter’s past two seasons have been ultra productive, and now he’s off to the NFL after leading Clemson in total tackles (88), tackles for loss (15) and sacks (5.5) in 2023. One of three finalists for the Butkus Award as the top linebacker in the nation, the 6-foot, 230-pound Trotter is more than just a tackling machine. He broke up six passes and also had two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

Trotter was once again a stud this season, and he ended his career at Clemson on a high note after the Tigers’ win over South Carolina. The NFL is next up for the talented linebacker.

Clemson linebacker named second-team AP All-American

Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has been honored as an AP All-American.

Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has been named a second-team AP All-American.

It’s the second straight season Trotter has earned AP All-American honors, with the Butkus Award finalist being one of the top defenders in the country. It’s an honor well deserved for the Tigers’ top defensive player.

This season, Trotter had a team-high 88 tackles, a team-leading 15.0 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions over 676 snaps over 12 games. He took one of his interceptions to the house.

Below is a look at the full AP All-American teams.

FIRST TEAM (offense)

Quarterback — Jayden Daniels, fifth-year, LSU.

Running backs — Ollie Gordon II, second-year, Oklahoma State; Cody Schrader, sixth-year, Missouri.

Tackles — Joe Alt, third-year, Notre Dame; Olu Fashanu, fourth-year, Penn State.

Guards — Cooper Beebe, fifth-year, Kansas State; Zak Zinter, fourth-year, Michigan.

Center — Jackson Powers-Johnson, third-year, Oregon.

Tight end — Brock Bowers, third-year, Georgia.

Wide receivers — Malik Nabers, third-year, LSU; Marvin Harrison Jr., third-year, Ohio State; Rome Odunze, fourth-year, Washington.

All-purpose player — Travis Hunter, second-year, Colorado.

Kicker — Graham Nicholson, third-year, Miami (Ohio).

FIRST TEAM (defense)

Edge rushers — Laiatu Latu, fifth-year, UCLA; Jalen Green, fifth-year, James Madison.

Interior linemen — T’Vondre Sweat, fifth-year, Texas; Jer’Zahn Newton, fourth-year, Illinois.

Linebackers — Payton Wilson, sixth-year, North Carolina State; Edgerrin Cooper, fourth-year, Texas A&M; Dallas Turner, third-year, Alabama.

Cornerbacks — Cooper DeJean, third-year, Iowa; Kool-Aid McKinstry, third-year, Alabama.

Safeties — Malaki Starks, second-year, Georgia; Xavier Watts, fourth-year, Notre Dame.

Defensive back — Terrion Arnold, third-year, Alabama.

Punter — Tory Taylor, fourth-year, Iowa.

SECOND TEAM (offense)

Quarterback — Michael Penix Jr., sixth-year, Washington.

Running backs — Audric Estime, third-year, Notre Dame; Omarion Hampton, second-year, North Carolina.

Tackles — Taliese Fuaga, fourth-year, Oregon State; JC Latham, third-year, Alabama.

Guards — Tate Ratledge, fourth-year, Georgia; Clay Webb, fifth-year, Jacksonville State.

Center — Sedrick Van Pran, fourth-year, Georgia.

Tight ends — Dallin Holker, fifth-year, Colorado State.

Wide receivers — Troy Franklin, third-year, Oregon; Malik Washington, fifth-year, Virginia; Luther Burden III, second-year, Missouri.

All-purpose player — Ashton Jeanty, second-year, Boise State.

Kicker — Jose Pizano, third-year, UNLV.

SECOND TEAM (defense)

Edge rushers — Jonah Elliss, third-year, Utah; Jared Verse, fourth-year, Florida State.

Interior linemen — Byron Murphy II, third-year, Texas; Howard Cross III, fifth-year, Notre Dame.

Linebackers — Jeremiah Trotter Jr., third-year, Clemson; Jason Henderson, third-year, Old Dominion; Jay Higgins, fourth-year, Iowa.

Cornerbacks — Quinyon Mitchell, fourth-year, Toledo; Beanie Bishop Jr., sixth-year, West Virginia.

Safeties — Tyler Nubin, fifth-year, Minnesota; Caleb Downs, first-year, Alabama.

Defensive back — Kris Abrams-Draine, fourth-year, Missouri.

Punter — Matthew Hayball, sixth-year, Vanderbilt.

THIRD TEAM (offense)

Quarterbacks — Bo Nix, fifth-year, Oregon.

Running backs — Blake Corum, fourth-year, Michigan; Kimani Vidal, fourth-year, Troy.

Tackles — Javon Foster, sixth-year, Missouri; Troy Fautanu, fifth-year, Washington.

Guards — Christian Haynes, sixth-year, UConn; Luke Kandra, fourth-year, Cincinnati.

Center — Zach Frazier, fourth-year, West Virginia.

Tight end — Ben Sinnott, fourth-year, Kansas State.

Wide receivers — Ricky White, fourth-year, UNLV; Brian Thomas Jr., third-year, LSU; Tetairoa McMillan, second-year, Arizona.

All-purpose player — Xavier Worthy, third-year, Texas.

Kicker — Will Reichard, fifth-year, Alabama.

THIRD TEAM (defense)

Edge rushers —Chop Robinson, third-year, Penn State; Bralen Trice, fifth-year, Washington.

Interior linemen — Kris Jenkins, fourth-year, Michigan; Braden Fiske, sixth-year, Florida State.

Linebackers — Nathaniel Watson, sixth-year, Mississippi State; Edefuan Ulofoshio, sixth-year, Washington; Danny Stutsman, third-year, Oklahoma.

Cornerbacks — Ricardo Hallman, third-year, Wisconsin; T.J. Tampa, fourth-year, Iowa State.

Safeties — Trey Taylor, fifth-year, Air Force; Dillon Thieneman, first-year, Purdue.

Defensive back — Sebastian Castro, fifth-year, Iowa.

Punter — James Ferguson-Reynolds, second-year, Boise State.

Social media reacts: Barrett Carter announces decision to stay at Clemson

Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter will forgo the 2024 NFL draft and will instead stay at Clemson for his senior season.

Clemson will have one of its best players back in 2024 after linebacker Barrett Carter announced on Thursday that he is forgoing the NFL draft to stay at Clemson for his senior season.

“After careful consideration and a lot of prayer, I’ve decided that I have some unfinished business to attend to,” Carter said on social media. “Therefore I will be returning for my senior year at Clemson to finish what I have started. Go Tigers!”

Carter has been one of the best linebackers in college football since he arrived in Clemson in 2021. The former five-star recruit has 59 total tackles, three sacks and two pass deflections this season.

With his performance over the last three years, Carter was widely projected to be an early-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Instead, he will play one more season for the Tigers.

Here is how X reacted to Carter staying in Clemson:

Wiggins to declare for NFL draft, per report

Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins is taking his talent to the NFL.

Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins will officially declare for the 2024 NFL draft, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

With his decision, Wiggins, a junior defensive back, will forgo his senior season and will instead start preparing for the draft. Wiggins also told Thamel that he does not plan on playing in the Tigers’ bowl game.

“I just feel like it was that time,” Wiggins told ESPN. “All the hard work I’ve put in, I feel like it was time for me to declare.”

After an up-and-down sophomore season in 2022, Wiggins played exceptionally well throughout this year, finishing with 28 total tackles, two interceptions, six passes defended, two forced fumbles and one sack. With his performance over the last few months, the former four-star recruit is projected to be a first-round selection in April’s draft.

Wiggins joins linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. as Clemson players who have declared for the draft following the Tigers’ last regular season game.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

ESPN’s Field Yates ranks two Tigers as the top two linebackers for the 2024 NFL draft

Clemson has the two best linebackers in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft, according to this ESPN analyst.

Clemson will be very well represented in the 2024 NFL draft and could be led by two stud linebackers.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (declared) and Barrett Carter (yet to declare) are his two top-ranked linebackers for the 2024 NFL draft. Trotter earned the No.1 spot, with Carter close behind at No.2. Here is what Yates had to say for his explanation on why Trotter is his No.1 linebacker.

It will sound cliché to say this given his father was an incredible NFL linebacker, but Trotter was born to play the position. His football instincts, reaction speed and tenacity pop off the screen in film study. Trotter is just 6-foot and 230 pounds, but he overcomes his stature with his quickness and clear anticipation skills. He has 93 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions this season.

After a slow start to their season, Trotter and Carter have been arguably the best linebacker duo in the country. Trotter has been the true standout as a

Butkus Award finalist awarded to the nation’s top linebacker.
It will be interesting to see how things play out with these two. Trotter has already declared, and there is a chance he is a first-round pick, but opinions seem split on that right now. Many outlets have Carter ranked as the higher prospect, but his draft stock has taken a hit compared to what it was to start this season. Personally, I think Carter could greatly benefit from returning to Clemson for another season.

Regardless of what happens, these two linebackers have a bright future.

Clemson star linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. declares for the 2024 NFL draft

Clemson star linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is taking his talents to the NFL.

One of Clemson’s top players has made a decision on his future.

Junior linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has announced that he has declared for the 2024 NFL draft and will not participate in Clemson’s bowl game. Trotter’s final Clemson performance came in the Tigers’ 16-7 rivalry win over South Carolina.

“After long thought and prayer, I am officially announcing that I am taking the next step in a lifelong dream and declaring for the 2024 NFL draft,” Trotter wrote in an Instagram post.

“I will always be a Clemson Tiger! GO TIGERS!”

Trotter started all 12 games on the Clemson defense this season, ranking first on the team in tackles (87), tackles for loss (14.5) and sacks (5.5). He had a phenomenal season, which should help his draft stock.

While it is sad to see him go, Trotter has a bright future ahead of him in the NFL.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0Mp7g2ukGF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 

Clemson’s Defensive X-Factor for Week 13 vs. South Carolina

For Clemson to get revenge, one of the best linebackers in college football must play like it.

For many, Clemson vs. South Carolina is the biggest game of the Tigers season, and this season feels even more important after last season’s loss. 

With a loss last season, the Gamecocks snapped Clemson’s seven-game winning streak over the Gamecocks while also ending the Tigers’ 40-game home winning streak. The loss was a massive one, and it is one fans and players have not forgotten. Saturday is about revenge, and if Clemson is going to get it, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. will need to continue to play like one of the best linebackers in the country. 

For this matchup, Trotter is our Defensive X-Factor for one simple reason. In your biggest games, your best players must show up and play. If he’s not the best player on Clemson’s defense, Trotter is one of the two best. After a slow start to the season, Trotter has been on an incredible run. 

As a do-it-all linebacker, expect Trotter to cause nightmares for Gamecocks’ starting quarterback Spencer Rattler in the pass rush, shut down the opposition’s run game, and do some great work in pass coverage. It is a huge game for the Tigers, and it’s one where Trotter needs to play like the superstar he is. 

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. named a 2023 Butkus Award finalist

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is one of five finalists for the Butkus Award.

CLEMSON, S.C. — The Butkus Foundation announced today that Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has been named as a finalist for the 2023 Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation’s top linebacker. Trotter is one of five finalists, alongside Missouri’s Ty’Ron Hopper, Washington’s Edefuan Ulofoshio, Mississippi State’s Nathaniel Watson and NC State’s Payton Wilson.

Trotter joins Isaiah Simmons (2019), Tre Lamar (2018), Dorian O’Daniel (2017), Keith Adams (2000) and Levon Kirkland (1990) as one of six Butkus finalists in school history. If Trotter were to win the award, he would become the second player in school history to collect the honor, joining Simmons’ victory from 2019.

“He is the epitome of consistency and preparation,” Head Coach Dabo Swinney said recently of Trotter. “That guy is a worker. He loves to study the game. He studies the nuances of it. He has great anticipation in what he does, block recognition. He’s a quarterback out there that’s playing at a high level… Certainly he’s talented and he’s got all the attributes, but there’s a lot of guys that are really talented that don’t play the game like he does, and that’s because of all of the other stuff you don’t see as far as how this kid prepares.”

Trotter has started all 11 games for Clemson this season and has started each of Clemson’s last 25 games dating to the start of the 2022 season. This year, Clemson’s coaches have credited him with a team-high 82 tackles in addition to leading the Tigers in tackles for loss (14.5) and sacks (5.5). He is also tied for the team lead in forced fumbles (two) and interceptions (two, including one returned for a touchdown), and his six pass breakups rank third. He is the only FBS player in America to have recorded at least 14 tackles for loss, at least five sacks, multiple interceptions, multiple forced fumbles and a pick-six this season.

Trotter, a second-team All-America selection by the Associated Press a season ago, leads Clemson’s 10th-ranked total defense and is the only finalist who has led a defense that ranks in the top 20 nationally in yards per game. Trotter and his teammates also presently rank fifth in the nation in first downs allowed per game (14.6) and eighth in yards allowed per play (4.60).

“He’s certainly got natural instincts and a high football IQ, but he puts the work in,” Swinney said. “He’s like a Christian Wilkins at linebacker. He puts that type of work and preparation in, and it’s fun to see him get the results. Great leader — he sets the tone.”

In addition to being a Butkus Award finalist, Trotter is a Bednarik Award semifinalist and a prime candidate for All-America and All-ACC honors.

-Via Clemson Athletic Communications 

Trotter named a Bednarik Award Semifinalist

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has been phenomenal this season and has been selected as a Bednarik Award semifinalist for his play.

The Maxwell Football Club announced today that linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has been named as one of 20 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually to the nation’s top defensive player. More information from the Maxwell Football Club is included below.

Maxwell Football Club Executive Director, Mark Wolpert, announced the 2023 semifinalists for the 87th Maxwell Award for the Collegiate Player of the Year and the 29th Chuck Bednarik Award for the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year. The lists include a field of 17 candidates for the Maxwell Award and 20 candidates for the Bednarik Award as selected by the Maxwell Football Club National Selection Committee.

The Maxwell Football Club has once again partnered with Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele Publications as selection committee partners. PFF provides detailed statistical and performance-based assessments to selection committee staff, and several senior PFF analysts have been added to the selection committee and have participated in the process. Phil Steele’s College Football Preview is generally recognized as the most complete football reference in the country.

A strong field of Maxwell Award semifinalists includes representatives from 6 conferences, with the SEC boasting 6 candidates each and the Big Ten and Big 12 notching 3 spots each. Caleb Williams (USC), the 2022 Maxwell Award winner, leads this class of candidates which features 11 quarterbacks, 3 wide receivers, 2 running backs and 1 tight end.

On the defensive side of the ball, the field of contenders is comprised of fresh faces. Seven different conferences and 1 independent are represented, led by 4 student-athletes each from the Big Ten and SEC and 3 each from the Big 12 and ACC.

Last season, the Maxwell Award was presented to USC quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bednarik Award went to Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. Anderson was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft by the Houston Texans and Williams is completing his junior season for the Trojans.

Semifinalist voting for both of the collegiate awards presented by the Maxwell Football Club will begin on Wednesday Nov. 14 and will close on Nov. 26. Three finalists for each award will be announced on Nov. 28 and a finalist round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media. All semifinalists are listed in alphabetical order by school with the player’s school, position and class designated.

The winners of the 87th Maxwell Award and the 29th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Friday December 8, 2023. The formal presentation of the Maxwell and Chuck Bednarik Awards will take place at the 87th Maxwell Awards Gala which will be held on Friday March 8, 2024.

MAXWELL AWARD SEMIFINALISTS
QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
QB Jordan Travis, Florida State
QB Carson Beck, Georgia
TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
QB Kaidon Salter, Liberty
WR Malik Nabers, LSU
QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
RB Blake Corum, Michigan
QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
WR Marvin Harrison Jr, Ohio State
QB Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma
RB Ollie Gordon Jr, Oklahoma State
QB Bo Nix, Oregon
QB Caleb Williams, USC
QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington

BEDNARIK AWARD SEMIFINALISTS
LB Dallas Turner, Alabama
LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr, Clemson
DB Malaki Starks, Georgia
DL Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois
DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
DB T.J Tampa, Iowa State
DL Jalen Green, James Madison
DL Ashton Gillotte, Louisville
DL Kris Jenkins, Michigan
DB Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri
LB Payton Wilson, NC State
DL Howard Cross III, Notre Dame
LB Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State
LB Jason Henderson, Old Dominion
DL T’Vondre Sweat, Texas
LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
DL Laiatu Latu, UCLA
DE Jonah Elliss, Utah
CB Beanie Bishop Jr., West Virginia

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, Montage Mountain Resort, Ivy Rehab, The Buccini Pollin Group, the Edward T. Coombs Foundation and the Run Around Inc. To learn more about our story visit www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS – PFF is widely recognized as the industry leader in the advanced data collection and analysis for American football. Since 2011, PFF has led football’s charge into the world of analytics. Their services are trusted by all 32 NFL teams and over 100 FBS programs. Major broadcast networks, national media outlets and player agencies all use PFF as a resource as well. PFF’s media network provides fans with apps, tools, podcasts and other content to help satisfy their thirst for deeper insights in the game.

The Maxwell Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the association.

Clemson’s Defensive X-Factor for Week 11 vs. Georgia Tech

This Clemson linebacker will have to be all over the field Saturday to slow down Haynes King and the Georgia Tech offense.

Similar to our offensive choice for this week, our Defensive X-Factor for Week 11 against Georgia Tech is coming off arguably his best game of the season. 

You need big-time players to step up and make plays for your team when you have big games. That is exactly what star linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. did in the Tigers’ huge win over Notre Dame. 

Trotter showed everyone why he is one of the best players in college football last Saturday as he totaled 11 tackles, 2 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a pick-six. It was a superstar performance from a superstar player, and we will see another performance like this against the Yellow Jackets for the Tigers to earn their sixth win of the season. 

Georgia Tech has been a surprise success this season, and much of that has been behind starting quarterback Haynes King’s breakout. King is a unique talent that can beat you with his arm and his legs. That’s where Trotter is key in this matchup. 

The All-American linebacker is a jack-of-all-trades player and is capable of locking down in the passing game while arguably being the best-run defending linebacker in all of college football. He’ll have to be all over the field on Saturday to slow King down, but if anyone can do it, it’s Trotter.