Jeremiah Trotter opens up on what it means to earn All-American honors

Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter had to wait his turn, playing behind linebackers James Skalski and Baylon Spector last year in his freshman season. But in his sophomore year, he took over as the starting middle linebacker and did not disappoint, leading the team in tackles and earning second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press.

“It feels good, I just give all glory to God, I wouldn’t have this opportunity without him and I just try to keep my head down and grind,” Trotter said.

Trotter only played in 59 defensive snaps last season for the Tigers, recording just 15 tackles. This year as a starter though, Trotter stuffed the stat sheet with 80 tackles, five pass breakups, a forced fumble, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and 6.5 sacks (six of which came in the last three games of the season). He was all over the field this season for the Clemson defense this season and did a little bit of everything for the Tigers.

“And I’m really grateful for this award, being second-team All-American and I’m just gonna try to keep my head down and get back to grinding and just keep working towards the main goal,” Trotter said.

Trotter tied a team-high nine tackles in the ACC Championship game, along with an ACC Championship game record three sacks on the night to help hold North Carolina to 10 points in their victory over the Tar Heels. He surely achieved the goal in that game walking out a champion, and will be looking to lead the Tigers to an Orange Bowl victory as well on December 30 when they take on Tennessee.

Jeremiah Trotter discusses how Clemson will offset the losses of Myles Murphy, Trenton Simpson in Orange Bowl

Clemson‘s defense will look a little bit different in their Orange Bowl matchup versus Tennessee on December 30, as they’ll be missing a duo of key players. Defensive end Myles Murphy declared for the 2023 NFL Draft and will not be playing in the Tigers’ season finale, and neither will linebacker Trenton Simpson, who also declared for the draft, but will not be playing due to an ankle injury suffered in the ACC Championship game.

Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter spoke about their losses on the defensive side of the ball ahead of their matchup versus the Volunteers.

“Yeah we’ll definitely miss guys like that, I know Myles is a baller, Trenton’s a baller, but in the game of football, guys gotta be ready for their chance,” Trotter said.

Murphy and Simpson have both been ballers all season for the Tigers, with Murphy tying Trotter for the team lead in sacks with 6.5 on the season and Simpson ranking second on the team in tackles behind Trotter with 73.

Murphy was an All-ACC first-team selection this season and Simpson made the third-team, but Trotter is confident that their all-conference talent will be matched against the Vols at the end of the month.

“And I know we got the guys who’ve been preparing all year and they’ve been having the right preparation, they’re gonna be ready for the opportunity against Tennessee,” Trotter said.