After struggling for playing time, highly-touted wide receiver Joshisa "Jojo" Trader departs from the Miami Hurricanes, seeking a fresh start and a bigger role elsewhere.
It was reported on Thursday that the Miami Hurricanes managed to retain running back Girard Pringle Jr. shortly after entering the transfer portal. However, accomplishing that is extremely difficult, especially with the amount of player movement in today's college football world, especially for those who seek bigger roles.
It was reported shortly after that wide receiver Joshisa "Jojo" Trader entered the transfer portal. He spent two seasons with the program, catching 19 passes for 269 yards and scoring two touchdowns in 18 games, four starts.
The Hollywood, Florida, native was a four-star recruit coming out of Chaminade-Madonna High School. He caught 76 passes for 1,374 yards and scored 18 touchdowns in 20 total games. Trader was heavily recruited by highly-profiled programs, such as the Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, Alabama Crimson Tide, Oregon Ducks, and many others, before committing to the Hurricanes on July 13, 2023.
The 20-year-old saw limited action on the football field this past season due to injuries, plus a loaded wide receiver core in CJ Daniels, Keelan Marion, and Malachi Toney. Trader's best game came against the SMU Mustangs, catching five passes for 81 yards, 16.2 yards per reception, and scoring a touchdown. However, the Hurricanes lost in overtime, with a final score of 26-20.
The program's wide receiver room is likely to be loaded again after acquiring Cam Vaughn and Vandrevius Jacobs from the transfer portal. They're viewed as fillers for Marion and Daniels, who have no eligibility left and are likely to declare for the upcoming NFL draft.
Also, it was reported on Wednesday that wide receiver Cooper Barkate has entered the transfer portal, with the Hurricanes labeled as the "school to watch." He was with the Duke Blue Devils, catching 72 passes for 1,106 yards, 15.4 yards per reception, and scoring seven total touchdowns in 14 games, winning the ACC championship and earning Second-Team All-ACC honors.
The likelihood of the Hurricanes retaining Trader is extremely thin, given the lack of room to carve a consistent role. He will seek a path for more playing time on the football field elsewhere.
However, the program's future is looking brighter, despite falling short of a National Championship. Mario Cristobal and the team successfully established a new standard for the next players taking over, such as Toney and star running back Mark Fletcher Jr.
Players from the Hurricanes roster have until Saturday to enter the extended transfer portal window.
Join the Community! Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news! It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our RoundTable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
More Miami Hurricanes News: