3-star linebacker Josiah Trotter releases top 5 schools list

Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Joseph’s linebacker Josiah Trotter is down to five schools, he announced on Friday.

Trotter is the No. 367 prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 36 linebacker and the No. 9 junior prospect in Pennsylvania.

Along with in-state Penn State, Virginia Tech, Clemson, West Virginia and South Carolina made his top five schools. Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Tennessee and Ohio State, all of which previously extended him offers, were not included.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder has long been one of Penn State’s top targets at the position in this class, but other programs have made him a priority, too. He recently told On3’s Mike Singer that he’ll visit West Virginia March 4, and other spring visits are likely in the next few months.

Josiah Trotter is the younger brother of 2021 prospect Jeremiah Trotter Jr., a five-star linebacker who signed with Clemson in the Class of 2021. Their dad, Jeremiah Trotter Sr., was a four-time Pro Bowler who played 12 NFL seasons for the Eagles, Redskins and Buccaneers from 1998-2009.