Former Mizzou linebacker Josiah Trotter makes NFL history in his debut
By Mark Kern
Published:
Former Mizzou linebacker had a day for the ages in his rookie debut for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, becoming the first player in NFL history to record a sack and a pick-6 in his first NFL game.
That’s according to FOX Research:
He recorded a sack in the first half, but it was his interception that gave the Buccaneers a chance to win the game. Trailing 27-13 with 2:16 remaining in the third quarter, Trotter intercepted Joe Burrow and took it 38 yards for the touchdown.
Those two big plays stand out, but he had a terrific game. He also finished with 11 tackles and 2 TFLs in the 33-27 loss on Sunday.
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Trotter had a tremendous 2025 season at Missouri, finishing that season with 84 tackles and two sacks. The Buccaneers thought very highly of him, as he was taken with the No. 46 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He is the son of former NFL star Jeremiah Trotter, who played in the NFL from 1998-2009. The majority of those years were with the Philadelphia Eagles, but he also spent time with Washington and Tampa Bay. He finished with 908 tackles, 12.5 sacks and nine interceptions.
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