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.

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.”