What Josiah Trotter Does for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

He came back with a vengeance in 2024, starting 11 out of 12 games and compiling 92 tackles (4 for loss), 0.5 sacks, 3 passes defensed, and 1 interception. He earned a place on the Freshman All-American squad and also became Big 12 Freshman of the Year.

Josiah Trotter (Missouri) is 1 of 5 LBs in my top 50 and probably my favorite 2026 prospect to watch. Hits/takes on blocks with a different level of violence than most college OL are used to

– 6'2/237
– 7.4% career missed tackle rate
– quick play diagnosis & trigger
– good… pic.twitter.com/EkGqW39VLN

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) November 12, 2025

After the Mountaineers fired their coaching staff, Trotter took his talents to Missouri and took his game up another level as the enforcer of a fearsome Tigers defense. He started all 12 games, notching 84 tackles (a whopping 13 for loss) to go along with 2 sacks. His efforts earned him first-team All-SEC.

As a redshirt sophomore, the younger Trotter declared for the draft at just 21 years old.

Athletic Testing

Trotter did not participate in athletic testing during the pre-draft process due to a minor knee issue. He measured in at nearly 6-foot-2, 240 pounds at his pro day with 32”+ arms, and he benched an impressive 27 reps at 225 pounds.

He’s fairly average by size standards, and film reveals a player who’s not super twitchy or fast but has what he needs to get where he needs to go. The calling card of his game is his strength, as he violently meets ball carriers and sheds blockers at a high level.

There is taking on a block and then there is TAKING ON A BLOCK. This is Josiah Trotter… his dad did things in the pros. pic.twitter.com/u8INsQABO6

— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) February 12, 2026

What Type of Player Is Josiah Trotter?

The Bucs wanted to get nastier and more assertive in their front 7, and they have absolutely accomplished that with the drafting of Rueben Bain Jr. and now Josiah Trotter.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler could not have put it more perfectly: “(Trotter) is a hammer looking for a nail.”

Trotter having a high-level pro for a father shows up in numerous ways. He’s extremely quick to key and trigger downhill, he possesses a really good understanding of pursuit angles and tackling form, and he pulls out some really nifty moves on his blitz snaps.

.@MizzouFootball@TrotterJosiah it's a great draft season for ILBers; but Trotter makes you watch…That family AXE is real. Yes he brings the wood but he isn't a "blind dog in a meathouse". #BaldysBreakdownspic.twitter.com/GvThSFj23R

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 15, 2026

It is no surprise at all that Todd Bowles loves this player. A violent run fitter with no-nonsense deameanor and excellent blitz potential, Trotter already having such a strong base to build on as a 21 year old is encouraging…if they can develop him.

Trotter is still very green in coverage, which has been a notorious issue for this team. It’s going to take some time to get him into a place where he can reliably play on obvious passing downs. There’s upside to suggest he’s capable of it, but is this coaching staff?

In more than 8 years since Bowles and Co. took over this defense, there have been zero hits when it comes to off-ball linebacker development. Lavonte David was already elite when Bowles and Mike Caldwell got here, and they took Devin White top 5 and proceeded to do very little with his immense physical talent beyond his first two seasons.

Trotter may very well be an addition for the next coaching staff, but Bowles is still here now so hopefully he’s concocted a clear vision for how to deploy their new top-50 pick.

Conclusion

Overall, it’s hard to hate this pick too much, though it’s easier to critique compared to Day 1’s slam-dunk selection.

The Bucs desperately needed linebacker, and they got one who’s going to make you more stout, aggressive, and consistent in run defense. Trotter shows clear upside as a pass-rusher as well, which naturally fits into Bowles’s creative pressure packages.

This might set the table for another investment in linebacker later in the draft; one who has more immediate chops / upside in the passing game so they have clear options on passing downs.

What say you, Bucs Nation? Offer your thoughts below!