Mountaineers Land Trotter
The West Virginia Mountaineers have quietly had some of the better recruiting classes in their history over the past few years. Indeed, looking at the average 247Sports Composite score for recruits in classes since 2010, they rank in this order. First, we have the Class of 2021 (0.8721); then, we have the Class of 2022 (0.8663). Third, we have the Class of 2010 (0.8646); then, we have the Class of 2020 (0.8644). Finally, we have the Class of 2018 (0.8640). Head Coach Neal Brown and his staff have thus produced three of the five most talented recruiting classes since 2010. WVU has continued that momentum early with its Class of 2023. That momentum continues as the Mountaineers land Trotter.
Enter Josiah Trotter
Josiah Trotter currently receives an 0.8992 composite score from 247Sports. He ranks as the seventh-best recruit in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. When he first entered 247’s ranking database, he had a firm grasp on a four-star ranking (0.9241). We are not sure why he has dropped since, but it cannot be because of on-field performance. Indeed, he tallied up over 100 tackles in his junior season. He has not seen a similar drop over at Rivals where he still carries a four-star rating.
A walking highlight reel, Trotter remains involved in every defensive snap. His makeup offers the Mountaineers a perfect candidate to take over the Mike linebacker spot from Lee Kpogba in a couple of years. Just take a look at his junior season highlights. He finds his way to the ball routinely. The speed and decisiveness really stand out on tape, as he shifts his way into the backfield plenty. Brown and company have sought to revamp the linebacker corps with faster athletes, and Trotter fits that mold.
Standing at 6’2 and weighing over 220 pounds, Trotter has room to add to his frame without losing the speed and agility that make him so dangerous. Did we mention that Trotter is the son of former NFL linebacker Jeremiah Trotter? Indeed, his dad played 11 seasons in the NFL, mostly for the Philadelphia Eagles. He earned four Pro Bowl selections and one First Team All-Pro selection while racking up over 900 tackles (69 for loss) and nine interceptions in his career.
Pushing Against Competition
Trotter visited Morgantown several times in his recruitment, but West Virginia had to fend off stiff competition. Usually, the best of the St. Joseph’s Prep kids go to Penn State (or another blue blood). Trotter held offers from, well, everyone. Texas A&M, Clemson, Penn State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State represent just a few of the schools he had to choose from. This Spring, Trotter narrowed his list to a final five that included Clemson, Penn State, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, and WVU. Ultimately, on his birthday, he announced his commitment to WVU. Like that, the Mountaineers land Trotter and put a pivotal piece in place for its Class of 2023.
