Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson Tigers Linebacker

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We continue this exact Yelp show coast to coast on CBS Sports Radio. Clemson takes down Florida State last weekend to remain undefeated. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. in the game had 13 tackles and next up for number five Clemson as they welcome in number 14 Syracuse. And now joining us is Jeremiah Trotter Jr. from the Clemson Tigers. Jeremiah, congratulations on the win last week and heck of a performance.

Appreciate the time. How are you? I'm doing good. How are you?

I'm doing fantastic. So last year for the Clemson standards, as you know, the season wasn't up to par. What was the vibes like this offseason? And take me through what you guys did in the offseason to get back this Clemson train moving in the right direction. Well, I definitely feel like during the offseason, our workouts, everybody had a different mindset. Kind of like a redemption type year.

Just kind of work hard, make sure you're doing what you're supposed to do. But I feel like that mindset has been all year. And even last year, we had that mindset. But you know, even coming off a season like that, we came up with a different vibe in our workouts and what we were doing in our preparation.

I feel like there was a lot more focus coming into this year. When you say a redemption season, what are you guys trying to prove? Just trying to prove that Clemson didn't fall off or to like the noise of people saying that, you know, Clemson isn't the Clemson that they used to be. But just try to, you know, just try to quiet that down, you know, and prove to people that are doubting us that Clemson is still here. Clemson is still that team. You believe this group this year could win a national title?

No, I definitely do. I feel like we have the key players. And I feel like we have the talent that we need to be able to do that.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr., one of those key players is DJ Ungoloye, your quarterback. He was doubted off the season he had last year. Does it at all surprise you, the season that DJ's having? Because he's not only bouncing back, he's bouncing back in a big way.

It didn't surprise me at all. I know DJ, even since I got here my freshman year, I saw the way that he worked and I saw the way that he prepared. And I knew it was just only a matter of time before he showed that to the world. And he's doing that right now during the season. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. here with us from the number five Clemson Tigers.

They host number 14 Syracuse this weekend in an ACC showdown. When you get to your running back, Will Shipley, we know how imperative he is to your team's success. You being a linebacker, potentially going up against him in practice from time to time, what do you learn from him and how does he just make the team better?

I learn his work ethic every day. I know he's going to bring that energy. He's going to challenge me and I feel like that makes me and as well as the defense better when you're going up against a running back like that. As far as tackling, pursuit to the ball and just creating that competition every single day in practice. Where is your game at now in your sophomore season? You just had a big game against Florida State, 13 tackles. It seems like everything right now is really coming together for you. Yeah, I feel like I'm really getting down and I'm just trying to make better, get better every single week.

Try to clean up mistakes that I've had in previous games and just try to put it all together. But you know, the coaches always have a great game plan that I trust in and I try to study and just execute on getting it. Why did you pick Clemson a few years back?

I'd say just because of the values. Coach Sweeney is always preaching about being a man of God. He preaches just caring for his players, a family mindset and just like the people that they bring in, not just as far as the coaching staff and all the guys that they already have here, but the players that they're bringing are all really good people and I feel like that's just somewhere I really want it to be. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. here with us. You come from a football family. We know what your father did in the National Football League.

He's a Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer. Just how big of a resource is your father in your development? Yeah, I feel like he's a big part because he's sharing all that knowledge that he gained while he was in the NFL and I feel like that really helps out as far as me developing in my game and trying to execute what I've got to do on the field and he's always giving me tips after the games.

We're watching film. He's being critical of the things that I need to get better at and I just try to work on that in practice and so on game day, it shows. I know you grew up around football, but had you really fallen in love with it because just because your dad played in the NFL doesn't mean you had to play football, but clearly you elected to take that path.

Yeah, definitely. I always love the game of football. My dad being in the NFL and playing football was really extra because I just had a mentor ever since I was young to help me go on that journey and go down that path, but that love for the game was always there. Was your dad your favorite player growing up? Did you like some other players? Yeah, I'd say he was. He's been my favorite player. What I can remember, I was really young when he played, but what I can remember, he was out there just wreaking havoc and doing his thing, but he's definitely one of my favorite players. My dad also worked in radio and you obviously have a father that played football.

I'm just wondering because now I try to write my own path. You're trying to write your own story as well. How are you trying to write the own Jeremiah Trotter Jr. story? Just trying to go out there and ball every single game and just do what I got to do to show that I got it too, but I'm really just trying to focus on every single day, every single game, every single opportunity I have to go out there and show my abilities that I'm just putting that work and hoping that the work plays off. When did you realize you were pretty damn good at football though? I feel like ever since I was young, people say how talented I am and just telling me the type of player I can be and my dad also telling me that. Whenever my dad's just reinforcing that into me, telling me I can really do this, that really solidifies that I have the talent and I have the ability to be able to do that because I know he's always going to shoot me straight. He's going to tell me the truth.

He's not going to sugarcoat anything just so I feel better about myself. When you guys are in the backyard now, do you blow your old man off the ball now? I mean a little bit. Sometimes I blow him off the ball. He's getting a little bit older, but he's still got it though. He's a pretty big guy as well.

So he's not intimidated of you yet is what you're saying. Wrapping up with Jeremiah Trotter Jr. from the Clemson Tigers. They're fifth in the nation. They go up against Syracuse this weekend. When you look at the film of Syracuse, they're having a nice surprise season. What stands out to you about the Orange Men's squad? I'd definitely say the quarterback and the running back are two key parts of their offense.

I know all around their offense is very good, but those two guys definitely stick out on tape as playmakers for them. Is this group satisfied so far or is it still okay? We still have things to prove to get Clemson back to where they need to be. Yeah, no we're definitely not satisfied. We're going to stay hungry throughout this whole season to prove the type of team that we can be and that we are. So we're definitely going to stay hungry. Well Jeremiah Trotter Jr., good luck this upcoming weekend noon Eastern on ABC.

We're looking forward to the game Clemson against Syracuse and keep on kicking ass. We appreciate the time. Alright, thank you. Fantasy Football Leagues are one on the waiver wire and with trades and with savvy starter sit decisions. The Fantasy Football Today podcast will help you along the way with the best advice on how to manage your team and dominate your league. With eight episodes per week, Fantasy Football Today is the only resource you'll need. Start sit, grade the trade, fantasy cops to settle your league disputes and so much more. Check out Fantasy Football Today anywhere podcasts are found. Fantasy Football Leagues are one on the waiver wire and with trades and with savvy starter sit decisions. The Fantasy Football Today podcast will help you along the way with the best advice on how to manage your team and dominate your league. With eight episodes per week, Fantasy Football Today is the only resource you'll need. Start sit, grade the trade, fantasy cops to settle your league disputes and so much more. Fantasy Football Today podcast will help you along the way with the best advice on how to manage your team and dominate your league. With eight episodes per week, Fantasy Football Today podcast will help you along the way with the best advice on how to manage your league disputes and so much more.