The second-round pick is dominating training camp with veteran instincts and "alpha" physicality, earning a reputation as a defensive cornerstone alongside Rueben Bain Jr. for Tampa Bay.
Rueben Bain Jr. may be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' rookie who is commanding the most attention, but their second-round pick, linebacker Josiah Trotter, has started turning heads as well.
Trotter, the son of Philadelphia Eagles' former 4X Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, has had a fantastic camp. He, along with Bain, has looked like a foundational piece who can lead Tampa's defense for the next decade.
Earlier in the offseason, it was predicted that Trotter would look like a different player once the pads came on in training camp, as he would finally be able to showcase his physicality and hitting ability, which are his best traits. However, even before he was able to hit anyone, Trotter was given the stamp of approval from one of the best linebackers to ever suit up for the Bucs.
Ever since training camp started, Trotter has looked like a beast. He was quickly given a chance to play with the starters and did not look overwhelmed or out of place.
Trotter has also been earning the praise of his new teammates, with Bucs' defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches calling the rookie an "alpha amongst alphas."
Now, Bucs Collective, a panel of esteemed Bucs reporters Scott Reynolds, Greg Auman, and Rick Stroud, is also signing Trotter's praises.
Already Looks Like A Veteran
Even though Trotter is only a rookie, he already looks like a veteran. He has had the benefit of learning the game from another outstanding linebacker, his father, throughout his whole life. Stroud spoke about how the rookie is playing like he has years of experience and believes he and Bain will be the leaders of the Bucs' defense well into the future.
"I'll be damned if this guy doesn't look like he's played in the league for about five or six years...He's in the backfield. He's making tackles for losses as much as it is just tackles. And with a lot of attitude that they wanted. This is exactly what they hoped they'd drafted...If you've got a guy like Rueben Bain Jr. and Trotter as the anchors of your defense, boy that's something you can really build around."
It sure didn't take long for Trotter to make a strong impression once he was able to display his full arsenal of abilities. While Bain is the Tampa rookie dominating the headlines and is the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, Trotter was drafted to be the long-term replacement for future Hall of Famer Lavonte David, who retired in March.
The pressure of having to fill the shoes of a franchise legend has not caused Trotter to blink. As Stroud said, he is already playing like someone who has years of experience.
Final Thoughts
Trotter won't just be handed a starting job or even meaningful playing time this season. Despite his status as a high draft pick, he will have to earn his snaps, especially with all of the other additions the Bucs made to strengthen their defense.
He is well on his way to making it almost impossible to keep him on the sidelines. With almost a month to go before the regular season begins, Trotter has ample time to continue impressing his coaches and teammates.
It would not be a surprise to see Trotter earn a starting role as early as Week 1. He is a big part of the reason why head coach Todd Bowles has said the difference in attitude and intensity between this year's team and last year's is "night and day."
How much Trotter continues to improve throughout the rest of the preseason will be one of the Bucs' most intriguing storylines. If he continues on the same developmental arc he has been on since camp began, Trotter will not only earn a starting job, but will be one of the most important players on Tampa's defense as the team is under enormous pressure to return to the playoffs this season.
