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Josiah Trotter 2026 NFL Draft Profile

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Matthew Brown | Last updated Jan 21, 2026 4:30 PM ET

Josiah Trotter is an old-school linebacker with a special blend of power and processing skills. With just 24 games at the college level, projecting will be a key part of the evaluation process for NFL scouts. This article will highlight Josiah Trotter and his 2026 NFL Draft Profile.

2026 NFL Draft Profile Of Missouri LB Josiah Trotter

Measurables

Height: 6’2”
Weight: 237 lbs

Player Background

As a three-star recruit out of St. Joseph’s Prep High School, Josiah Trotter was the 44th-ranked linebacker in the country and a top-ten player in the state of Pennsylvania. He committed to West Virginia University during the 2023 recruiting cycle, despite receiving offers from Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Oregon.

After redshirting his freshman year due to a severe leg injury, Trotter broke out in 2024. He not only led the Mountaineers with 92 total tackles but was named Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. Following his breakout campaign, Trotter became an impact transfer after landing at the University of Missouri. He started 12 games for the Tigers and was named First Team All-SEC after finishing in the top five in total tackles and tackles for loss within the conference.

Accolades

First Team All-SEC (2025)
Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (2024)
Freshman All-American (2024)
Honorable Mention All-Big 12 (2024)

Best Tools

Trotter pairs elite processing with exceptional awareness. He is a force to be reckoned with when defending the run. His 7.4% career missed tackle rate allows him to fly downhill and trust his technical refinement as a tackler. Trotter quickly maps out the most efficient path to the ballcarrier, and there are points in time where he beats offensive linemen to their marks. There aren’t many linebacker prospects in this draft class better at controlling the line of scrimmage and recognizing plays before they happen.

Exceptionally strong in his lower half, Trotter can hold the line of scrimmage consistently and protect the edge against outside runs. He possesses powerful hands that help him shed blocks and disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage. Trotter is more explosive working downhill and in short areas than sideline-to-sideline, but his athleticism is more than ideal for today’s NFL.

Tools to Improve

As instinctual and aware as Trotter is against the run, the same can’t be said when he’s in coverage. Quarterbacks know he has a tendency to bite on play action and RPO plays, which forces him out of position over the middle of the field. In zone coverage, he isn’t disciplined enough. Trotter is too quick to vacate his middle zone for underneath routes and doesn’t have great feel or range.

Although Trotter has good athleticism, this is something the opposing offense can expose. In man coverage reps downfield, he struggles to stay with running backs and other receivers. Underneath, he has trouble recognizing routes in the flat, and given his lack of lateral quickness, he can allow big chunks of yardage down the sideline. The lack of experience in pass defense is evident on tape.

NFL Projection

The team drafting Josiah Trotter will get an immediate impact defender, especially against the run. With more experience in both zone and man coverage, he will only get better in terms of feel and anticipation. The floor is an incredibly smart run defender who can contribute on early downs, while the ceiling for Trotter is a true three-down linebacker. Athletic testing is going to be important for him, but every team should be lining up for a linebacker prospect with this kind of production and IQ.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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