Mizzou's new 'Axe Man': LB Trotter has cut like a blade through opposing offenses

Dog. Missile. Hitter. If those words were in a Connections group, The New York Times would likely get an earful from readers.

Rather, they’re all words players have used to describe Mizzou linebacker Josiah Trotter.

In Mizzou’s first three games, the former West Virginia star has been one of MU’s most productive defenders. Trotter already has five tackles for loss, one more than he had in 12 games with the Mountaineers last season. He also leads the Tigers in total tackles with 14.

Trotter, the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year last season, entered Mizzou with tangible hype. Trotter quickly impressed upon his arrival, even among veterans who have much more experience than the redshirt sophomore.

“When he’s on the field, I don’t know why, I just feel much better,” graduate defensive back Daylan Carnell said in July. “I just feel more confident in what I’m doing for some reason.”

While the Tigers seem to take comfort in Trotter’s presence, opposing offenses have been the opposite of comfortable when he’s on the field.

As a result, players have spoken of Trotter like he’s a human fastball. When he shoots through gaps to make tackles, Trotter isn’t just a linebacker but a “freakin’ missile,” as defensive tackle Chris McClellan called him.

Trotter doesn’t try to tackle opposing ball carriers. He “tries to rip your head off,” running back Ahmad Hardy said. Linebacker Khalil Jacobs added that, after Trotter makes a play, he’s “always growling,” although Trotter clarified that those were probably just excited yells.

“It’s kind of weird,” Jacobs said Aug. 5. “But he’s hungry. He’s ready to compete.”

Some, like Hardy, didn’t just watch Trotter during fall camp. They had to deal with him head-on.

“Trotter’s a hitter, man,” graduate center Connor Tollison said Aug. 19. “He’s got some weight on him.”

Mizzou’s offense has garnered heaps of praise through three games, and rightfully so. The Tigers are averaging 587 yards per game (No. 4 in FBS) and have scored 155 points, their most through three games since 2008. Beau Pribula, Ahmad Hardy and Kevin Coleman Jr. have each excelled following transfers from other schools.

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With less fanfare, the defense has been highly productive as well. Mizzou has given up just 200.7 yards per game (No. 5 in FBS), and the Tigers have allowed just six third-down conversions in 36 attempts. Against Kansas, they allowed fewer than 2 yards per carry, and the following week, they gave up two pass completions for a whopping 4 yards.

In a college football season that’s featured a bevy of high-scoring shootouts, Mizzou has stonewalled each of its opponents in some aspect, and Trotter has had a lot to do with it.

For older viewers, Josiah has brought back memories of another J. Trotter at linebacker.

“I don’t know if that was Jeremiah Trotter or Josiah Trotter,” Mizzou radio color commentator and former Missouri offensive tackle Howard Richards said after Josiah’s first TFL against Louisiana. “He plays just like his dad.”

Jeremiah Trotter played 11 NFL seasons, earning four Pro Bowl selections as a cornerstone of the vaunted Philadelphia Eagles defenses of the early 2000s. Josiah’s older brother, Jeremiah Jr., was a two-time All-American linebacker at Clemson who won Super Bowl LIX last season with the Eagles.

Josiah carries much of his dad’s legacy with him, including his play style. Jeremiah Sr. was a stocky, hard-hitting linebacker who excelled in defending the run, and Josiah (6-foot-2, 237 pounds) is similar.

Plus, Josiah has already brought out his dad’s signature celebration, swinging an imaginary ax at the turf after a big play. The celebration was originally an homage to Jeremiah Trotter’s dad, who chopped wood for a living. As a result, Jeremiah Sr. was nicknamed “The Axe Man.”

From an early age, Josiah was destined to follow in his family’s footsteps. Josiah doesn’t view the success of his predecessors as a burden. Rather, having his dad and brother around is a “blessing,” he said, adding he was “bred and born” to play linebacker.

“Being in the shadows of two great players, I embrace it,” Trotter said in April. “I always have a chip on my shoulder to outwork everybody around me, but also trying to be better than what my dad and brother were.

“What else can you do besides embrace it? If not, you’re going to be running away from it.”

Instead, Josiah has only run toward certain goals, whether it’s a ball carrier or the potential of surpassing his father and brother in football. His efforts have paid dividends so far. The Tigers hope the ax will continue swinging.

“He’s an instinctual player,” graduate defensive back Jalen Catalon said. “When he sees, he goes, and that’s what I love about him.”