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Eagles rookie makes jersey decision that will have fans feeling nostalgic
USA TODAY Sports-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles' 2024 NFL Draft class rookies have picked out their jersey numbers. 

  • CB Quinyon Mitchell: No. 30 
  • DB Cooper DeJean: No. 33 
  • OLB Jalyx Hunt: No. 58 
  • RB Will Shipley: No. 39 
  • WR Ainias Smith: No. 82 
  • LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr.: No. 54 
  • OL Trevor Keegan: No. 79 
  • WR Johnny Wilson: No. 89 
  • OL: Dylan McMahon: No. 63

Trotter Jr. to Follow in His Dad's Footsteps 

By far the most wholesome and nostalgic jersey number from the rookie class this year is fifth-round pick Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who will wear the same number his dad wore as an All-Pro linebacker with the Eagles. 

His dad, Jeremiah Trotter Sr., was drafted by the Eagles in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft and made quite a name for himself wearing No. 54. In four seasons with the Eagles, Trotter Sr. earned four Pro Bowl nods, was named first-team All-Pro in 2000, and was inducted into the Eagles' Hall of Fame. 

Those are going to be some big shoes to fill for Trotter Jr., but his college football resume says he can do it. 

Trotter Jr., who wore No. 54 for the Clemson Tigers, became a hot draft prospect following his 2022 CFB season after he achieved 89 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, one forced fumble, seven passes defended, two interceptions, and one defensive touchdown. 

He only continued to stack onto his success last year where he amassed 88 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, seven passes defended, two interceptions, and a defensive touchdown.

In total, Trotter Jr. logged 202 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 13 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and four interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns over 39 career games at Clemson. He became one of only 14 FBS players in the last 20 seasons to record 10 plus sacks, four plus interceptions, three plus forced fumbles, and multiple pick-sixes in a two-year span. He enters the NFL fresh off of earning First-Team All-ACC honors and being named a finalist for The Butkus Award -- given to CFB's top linebacker. 

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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