[1] He lived in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey and attended Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, where he was named all-state during both his junior and senior years.

He helped lead Don Bosco to the state final his junior year by recording 96 tackles and totaling 11 sacks.

As a senior playing for the Don Bosco Ironmen high school football team, he tallied 82 tackles and 17 sacks, and helped lead Don Bosco to a perfect 12–0 record and its first state title since 2003.

Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Trattou was ranked fourth among New Jersey’s Top 30 prospects.

As a senior team captain in 2010, he memorably returned an interception thirty-five yards for a touchdown, and was the recipient of the Gators' Fergie Ferguson Award, recognizing "the senior football player who displays outstanding leadership, character and courage.

[9] Trattou majored in sports management at the University of Florida and was named twice to SEC's academic honor roll.