Sports
Five-Star Wide Receiver Joshisa Trader Commits to Miami
Published
1 year agoon
The Miami Hurricanes and head coach Mario Cristobal are whale hunting on the recruiting front this summer, and their efforts paid off with a major addition to their 2024 recruiting class. Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep five-star wide receiver, Joshisa Trader, committed to Miami on Thursday, choosing the Hurricanes over other powerhouse programs such as the Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Bulldogs, and Ohio State Buckeyes.
Trader, who held over 30 scholarship offers, brings exceptional talent and skill to the Hurricanes’ roster. His commitment marks a significant milestone for Miami in this year’s recruiting cycle, as he becomes their first five-star and highest-ranked recruit in the 2024 class.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound receiver’s decision to join Miami’s class was the result of a collaborative effort between head coach Mario Cristobal and new wide receivers coach Kevin Beard, yet another Hurricane football alumnus. Beard played a significant role in Trader’s recruitment, turning up the heat since his arrival with consistent communication and fostering a strong relationship. That effort translated into numerous on-campus visits from the highly touted five-star wide receiver and an eventual verbal commitment.
What makes Trader’s commitment even more intriguing is the strong connection he shares with several other recruits in Miami’s 2024 class. He joins St. Thomas Aquinas’ four-star wide receiver, Chance Robinson, as the second wide receiver to join the Hurricanes’ recruiting class. Interestingly, Trader, Robinson, and Miami three-star defensive back commits Ryan Mack and Romanas “OJ” Frederique have all been teammates on the South Florida Express 7-on-7 team for three years. However, their connection goes beyond that, as they were also teammates on the highly acclaimed local Optimist football team, the Miami Gardens Ravens during their youth.
The Miami Gardens Ravens, which Rod Mack helps operate, a former Miami Hurricanes linebacker in the late 1990s and Ryan Mack’s father, have played a pivotal role in fostering the development and camaraderie among these talented athletes.
The Miami Gardens Ravens connection doesn’t end there. Trader, Robinson, Mack, and Frederique are joined by Miami three-star linebacker commit Vincent Shavers from Miami Central High School in their shared football journey. Additionally, a group of the Hurricanes’ top recruiting targets this year, Chaminade-Madonna Prep’s five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State commit) and four-star safety Zaquan Patterson, as well as four-star Miami Central wide receiver Lawayne McCoy (Florida State commit), were also part of that dominant Miami Gardens Ravens team.
Trader’s impressive performance on the field further solidifies his status as a highly sought-after recruit. As a junior during the 2022 season, he was recognized as a MaxPreps Junior All-American second-team selection, where he played a pivotal role in helping Chaminade-Madonna Prep capture a Florida 1M state title. In 13 games, Trader caught 47 passes for 473 yards and 7 touchdowns as a wide receiver. Not limited to offense, he also showcased his versatility by contributing on defense as a defensive back, recording 4 tackles and an interception. Additionally, Trader’s playmaking abilities were on full display as he executed a 70-yard scoring pass on a trick play, highlighting his skills as a versatile player with the ability to make big plays in different roles on the field.
Even during his sophomore season at Miami Central, Trader proved his worth as a dynamic playmaker, while helping the Rockets capture a Florida 5A state title. In that state title game, Trader intercepted a pass and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown. He also added two touchdown receptions, one for 50 yards and the other for 41 yards, respectively. Through six games, he caught 26 passes for 592 yards and six touchdowns.
He has established himself as one of the best receivers in recent years at tracking the football and making acrobatic grabs. Whether it’s diving to move the chains or leaping over defenders for touchdowns, Trader possesses a knack for making electrifying plays. As a tempo-based route runner, he skillfully mixes gears to deceive defenders on the perimeter. His ability to effortlessly make high-level catches sets him apart, and his burst and vision in the open field make him a dangerous ball carrier.
Trader’s potential extends beyond offense, as he has demonstrated his skills on the defensive side of the ball throughout his high school career. On the 7-on-7 circuit for South Florida Express, he has shown the ability to shut down one side of the field, indicating his remarkable potential as a cornerback too. With his exceptional athleticism and natural instincts, he could even rank as a five-star prospect on defense if he made a full commitment to the cornerback position. His versatility and ball skills make him a valuable asset for any program in the country, as he has the ability to make game-changing plays on both sides of the ball.
While Trader is likely to excel as a Z-receiver in a spread offense or in the slot in a pro-style attack that challenges the deeper third of the field, the idea of him settling in as a defensive back is very tempting due to his elite ball skills. Trader, on the other hand, wants to play wide receiver at the next level. With his immense potential, Trader possesses NFL upside and could develop into a star at the collegiate level at either position.
With Trader’s commitment, Miami’s recruiting class for 2024 has gained considerable momentum. The Hurricanes have climbed from 21st to 16th overall in the composite team rankings according to the recruiting industry services (247Sports, ESPN, On3, and Rivals).
Check out LifeWalletSports.com to get connected with all of our NIL athletes and partnered brands.
You may like
-
Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy Reinstated: Emblematic of College Football’s New NIL Era
-
Miami to Host Strong and Concentrated Group of Blue-Chip Visitors for Spring Game
-
Miami Hurricanes Running Back Henry Parrish Jr. to Enter Transfer Portal
-
Miami Women’s Basketball Falls Short in Fourth Quarter Rally against Clemson
-
Miami Women’s Basketball Achieves Historic Comeback Victory Over Clemson
-
Andre Johnson Inducted into the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class
Legal
University of Florida’s Groundbreaking mRNA Vaccine Could Revolutionize Treatment for Brain Cancer Patients
In a landmark achievement in the battle against malignant brain tumors, a revolutionary mRNA cancer vaccine has ignited a robust...
NCAA Intends to Enhance Consumer Protection in Ever-Changing NIL Era
Charlie Baker, the president of the NCAA, has expressed the urgent need to establish a “consumer protection system” tailored for...
Redefining the Game: How One Attorney’s Fight Could Revolutionize College Athletes’ Rights
John “Jake” Krupski, a seasoned labor attorney from New Hampshire, was well-versed in representing the rights of various workers, including...
Clemson Files Lawsuit Over ACC Grant of Rights, Looking for Exit Out of Conference
In a bold move that reverberates across the collegiate sports landscape, Clemson University has taken the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)...
The Enhanced Games: A Controversial Pro-PEDs Take on the Olympics
In a daring departure from conventional sports norms, billionaire entrepreneur Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, is making waves...
Lawsuit Against Mars Inc. Claims Dark Chocolate Contains Toxic Metals
A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed in New York federal court claiming Mars Inc. failed to warn consumers...