Steelers Meet With Elite Athlete Jeremiah Trotter Jr. At 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the middle of a very important offseason, as Omar Khan, Mike Tomlin and company need to decide the direction the team is going to take at several positions. No position has been more talked about than quarterback, but as the draft gets closer and free agency opens, we will get a clear view as to what positions the Steelers' front office see as an area with room for improvement.

With all that being said, the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine is about to begin, and both teams and players have already arrived in Indianapolis to begin getting ready for the event. The Steelers wasted no time, as they have already interviewed some players that have caught their attention.

One very notable name that the Steelers have met with is linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. out of Clemson. Trotter revealed during his time on the podium talking to the media on Wednesday that he met with Tomlin and talked a little about his thoughts on the organization as a whole. 

"Yes I have," Trotter replied when asked if he met with Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin. "You know, Mike Tomlin is a great coach, been doing it for many years, a lot of experience. The whole Steelers organization is great, those guys really showed energy and showed me love and I appreciate that."

Trotter is one of the top linebacker prospects in this draft class and possesses a skill set the Steelers have definitely been looking for the last few seasons. Trotter is a very athletic player that excels ranging sideline to sideline with his speed and can track down ball carriers, as well as defend the pass. The last Steelers linebacker to truly have that capability? None other than Ryan Shazier. 

Reporters went on to ask about Trotter's thoughts on Tomlin, and what stands out about him after meeting with him. As you would expect, Trotter had some praise for Tomlin as almost every player we have heard from does. 

"Honestly you know, I feel he really commands the room, he had a strong presence to him. He is a great coach, they're one of the teams I watched on Sundays... I love the way he coaches, I love the way he leads his team. He just has a lot of respect I can tell from the players in the locker room."

There is no doubt Tomlin is well revered by players around the league, and most importantly, players within the Steelers' locker room. Tomlin's ability to connect with the players on his team, around the league, and even incoming draft prospects is on another level compared to other head coaches in the NFL. While that doesn't necessarily mean as much in terms of being able to get better players during the draft since that decision is out of the players' hands, it does mean that young players are more comfortable around him and likely open up more during the interview process. 

Steelers Meeting With Trotter Jr. Helps His First Round Odds

It is well known that for the Steelers to pick a player in the first round, they have a list of requirements that are nearly always met, and one of those is a formal meeting with the player during the pre-draft process. So this is a good sign for Trotter and his draft stock in the eyes of the Steelers.

Trotter hasn't been getting much first round buzz lately, but that is expected to pick up in the coming weeks as his athleticism will be able to be displayed on a grand stage with the combine and pro days on the horizon. 

Trotter tallied 177 tackles in his last two seasons as a full-time starter in the middle of the Tigers' defense, while also exceling as a blitzer during that time, notching 12 total sacks. Trotter also is the second member of his family to be in the NFL, as his father was in the league for 11 seasons as a linebacker as well. Trotter Jr.'s father, Jeremiah Trotter Sr., was an All-Pro in 2000 during his first stint with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Do you think Trotter Jr. would be a good fit for the Steelers in the middle of their defense? Let us know in the comments below!

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