WVU Commit Josiah Trotter Caps Stellar HS Career with State Title

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Prior to the start of the 2022 season, St. Joseph’s Prep senior Josiah Trotter said his main goal was to become a three-time triple crown winner.

This status consists of being the top team in the Philadelphia Catholic League, PIAA District 12 and the entire state of Pennsylvania in Class 6A.

Trotter and the Hawks were able to accomplish this feat in dominant fashion Saturday night, cruising to a 42-7 victory over Harrisburg at Cumberland Valley High School’s Chapman Field.

STATE CHAMPS!!!!!!! 🏆🏆🏆

— Josiah Trotter (@TrotterJosiah) December 11, 2022

“This feels amazing,” Trotter said postgame. “Especially with all the hard work we put in, plus me overcoming some adversity with an injury at the start of the year. Happy isn’t even the word right now, I’m just relieved we were able to come here and get the job done.”

St. Joseph’s prep was one game-shy of making it a clean sweep of state gold over Trotter’s four years, but the Hawks were defeated by Mount Lebanon 35-17 in last season’s title game.

Trotter said his team has been working since January to re-ignite the run for St. Joseph’s. The Hawks, who fell to Florida powerhouse Saint Thomas Aquinas to start this year, rattled off 12 consecutive victories to give the program its seventh state championship, all coming since 2013.

Trotter shined for the St. Joseph’s defense against Harrisburg, compiling a game-high 13 tackles, including seven solo stops.

His performance, which also included serving as a blocker on teammate Kahseim Phillips’ three-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, was enough to award Trotter the defensive game ball from Hawks head coach Tim Roken.

“Just have to thank God,” Trotter said. “Individually, and as a team, everyone put a lot of work in to get us here. It’s an incredible feeling knowing we were able to accomplish the goal and keep this run going.”

Trotter will now continue to develop his skills over the next stretch of months to prepare for his upcoming career at West Virginia.

Breaking: 2023 4-Star Linebacker Josiah Trotter Commits to West Virginia

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound middle linebacker committed to join the Mountaineers this past April, choosing to go to Morgantown over the likes of Penn State, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Clemson, where his older brother Jeremiah Jr. currently attends.

Two of West Virginia’s assistant coaches were also in attendance Saturday night, including inside linebacker coach Jeff Koonz, as Trotter embraced the pair in a hug following the win.

“I have a great relationship with the coaching staff at WVU,” Trotter said. “I also really feel like I can fit in with their defensive scheme. I see a great opportunity with this 2023 class that we can build something great, especially with coach (Neal) Brown being there. I feel like they can put me in the right position to get where I want to go.”

Trotter, like most players, has dreams of playing professionally, and has a great source of guidance to follow to get there. He is the son of 11-year NFL veteran Jeremiah Trotter, Sr., who spent eight seasons in Philadelphia and was later inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame.

Jeremiah Jr. is also shining at Clemson, serving as the starting interior linebacker while being selected as Third-Team All-American and Second-Team All-ACC.

“I’m very excited,” Josiah Trotter said. “My brother is doing big things at Clemson right now. I want to carry on this family legacy at West Virginia, and hopefully onto the NFL as well.”