Son of Eagles Hall of Famer, ex-Penn State target set to enter transfer portal

As the number of players entering the transfer portal grows by the day, a former Penn State football target with an NFL pedigree has become the latest to announce his plans to move on to a new college program. On Wednesday, West Virginia linebacker Josiah Trotter announced his intention to enter the transfer portal.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel first reported the news, which comes days after the Mountaineers fired head coach Neal Brown.

Trotter is the son of Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Sr. Playing eight of 11 NFL seasons in Philadelphia, Trotter Sr. is one of only four Eagles linebackers with at least four Pro Bowl seasons. His brother, ex-Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., is in his rookie season with the Eagles.

WVU starting linebacker Josiah Trotter is entering the NCAA transfer portal, he told ESPN. @TrotterJosiah had 92 tackles last year for the Mountaineers, 4 TFLs and an interception. He's the son of NFL Pro Bowler Jeremiah Trotter Sr. and brother of Eagles LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. pic.twitter.com/hHpmnxDtFo

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 4, 2024

A three-star prospect out of St. Joseph’s Prep School, Trotter was 247Sports’ No. 7 player in Pennsylvania for the 2023 recruiting cycle. He missed his entire true freshman year after suffering a season-ending lower-leg injury during 2023 spring practice.

Trotter flourished during redshirt freshman season this fall, recording 92 tackles, four tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, and one interception. He had 10 total tackles against Penn State football in the 2024 season opener, although many Nittany Lions fans will more likely remember the Mountaineer linebacker for being on the receiving end of a viral stiff arm from quarterback Drew Allar.

Drew Allar with the blue collar stiff arm 💪@AllarDrew | @PennStateFball

(via @cfbonfox)pic.twitter.com/a9wbOZN4On

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) August 31, 2024

Linebacker has been one of the thinner positions on the Penn State football roster this season; only three Nittany Lions in the room have more than 20 tackles on the year. Josiah Trotter visited Happy Valley three times during his recruitment. However, he never returned after earning a West Virginia offer in March 2022.

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