Dabo Swinney on Jeremiah Trotter: He's become a more vocal leader

Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter has elevated his play down the stretch for the Tigers, fresh off of a monster game in the ACC Championship where he lived in North Carolina‘s backfield in their 39-10 win. Trotter’s strong finish to the season drew comparisons to former Tiger defensive end Kevin Dodd, which head coach Dabo Swinney addressed.

“I wouldn’t say Kevin Dodd because Trotter just came in way ahead of a Kevin Dodd, Kevin his fifth year he was special but he didn’t really have a great football foundation when he showed up,” Swinney explained. “Whereas Trotter his football instincts, his football savvy, his football IQ, through the roof from the moment he got here.”

Dodd went from zero career sacks to twelve of them in his last season with Clemson in 2015. Trotter did have to wait his turn to touch the field this season, but has definitely made the most of his first season as a starter.

“Obviously last year was (James) Skalski and Baylon Spector, you had two high veteran dudes that he had a chance to really learn from, but you’re right, he’s really settled in down the stretch here and has played some elite football,” Swinney said.

Trotter had half a sack in the Tigers’ opening game of the season against Georgia Tech, but hadn’t had one since until he went on a tear during the back end of the season, racking up six sacks in Clemson’s last three games. His play has definitely taken a leap, but that isn’t the only thing according to Swinney.

“And honestly, the biggest part is he started to emerge as a little bit of a vocal leader,” Swinney said. “He was one of those guys that you just kind of saw, you didn’t really hear, but he’s really taken some ownership and he’s come out of his shell a little bit as far as being that quarterback we need him to be.”

Trotter’s play and leadership has helped lead the Tiger’s defense and team to yet another championship, one that Swinney has challenged some of his sophomore players to attain after missing out on the title game last season in their first year.

“But Trotter he’s awesome, and that little group, that’s the group I kind of challenged because they hadn’t really won anything yet. Trotter, Barrett Carter, Nate (Wiggins), kind of that group of guys so it’s good to see them be able to be a champion tonight, but he’s a great one,” Swinney concluded.