WVU LB Josiah Trotter Recognized Nationally for Strong Freshman Season

Josiah Trotter is being recognized as one of the best freshmen in the nation. On Wednesday, Trotter was named a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.

After having to miss the entire 2023 season with injury, Trotter has made 58 total tackles with a pair of pass deflections and an interception through eight games in 2024.

⭐️ 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭: @TrotterJosiah #HailWV pic.twitter.com/iu9fk5k5Yb

— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) November 6, 2024

Keeping Trotter in the running for the yearly honor goes in line with the weekly recognition he earned in September. Trotter was named the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week for his play in West Virginia’s comeback win over Kansas.

Even though the WVU defense has struggled throughout the season overall, Trotter has three double-figure tackle performances. Those big games came against Iowa State, Kansas and in the season opener when West Virginia hosted Penn State.

Trotter embraces being part of a strong football family and every everything that comes with his last name. He talked about being used to the natural comparisons that come with being a Trotter before the season got underway in August.

As he hopes to finally show what he can do as a Mountaineer, Trotter touched on what it’s like being the son of former NFL All-Pro Jeremiah Trotter and even the brother of Clemson star and current NFL rookie Jeremiah Jr

The redshirt freshman explained the one big life lesson he’s learned from his dad. “Work ethic. How you carry yourself every day. Make sure you leave your mark,” he said.

Trotter also mentioned that while most expected him to follow his brother to Clemson, he wanted to carve his own path. He said he picked WVU over offers from major programs like Ohio State and Clemson due to feeling the Mountaineers really wanted him and he would fit perfectly in the defensive system.

“I wanted to go somewhere that really wanted me for me. I took a visit, fell in love with it, and how the fans love the team.”

Back to his family, Trotter said he was young and doesn’t remember too much from his dad’s NFL career. He has, however, seen the highlights and heard the stories. He also revealed his dad’s ex Eagles teammates Brian Dawkins as a mentor beyond his family.

A top recruit out of St. Joe’s Prep in Philadelphia, Pa., Trotter was viewed as one of the premier pieces of WVU’s 2023 recruiting class. Listed at 6-foot-2, 230-pounds, Trotter officially signed with the Mountaineers in December of 2022.

From the press release:

The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award has been presented to the college freshman player of the year since 2018 and is named in honor of Shaun Alexander, a former standout at Alabama and the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.

Past winners include Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) – 2018, Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis) -2019, Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) – 2020, Brock Bowers (Georgia) – 2021, Drake Maye (North Carolina) – 2022 and Caleb Downs (Alabama/Ohio State) – 2023.

For a related story, WV Sports Now’s Mike Asti predicted the impact Josiah Trotter would make on the 2024 season in the spring.