2024 5-star WR Joshisa Trader talks top five schools

Around three dozen schools have offered Joshisa Trader. The No. 8 prospect in the 2024 On3 Consensus is one of the most coveted prospects in the country.

The five-star wide receiver out of Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna does not plan to commit to a school until after his senior season, but he is ready to name his early top five schools.

“Ohio State, Florida, Tennessee, Florida State and Miami are my top schools,” Trader told On3. “I have visited all except for Tennessee and I have really good relationships with coaches at each school.

“Relationships are very important to me and from the head coach to the offensive coordinator to the receiver coach, I have some strong relationships with these schools. I am talking to them every day and I like that, the offense and the receiver groups at all five schools.”

In-state schools, Florida, FSU and Miami are high on Trader’s list

The school Trader has visited the most is Miami. It is around 45 minutes from his home and he has visited double-digit times.

“At Miami, it is like being home. I am more comfortable there. That is important to me too. I would be close to family and the staff has already made me feel like family. I talk a lot to coach Cristobal, coach Gattis, coach DVD (Demarcus Van Dyke) and coach Cooney. They way they are recruiting me stands out.”

Trader has visited Gainesville twice and Tallahassee five times. The other two in-state programs are high on his list early.

“I like Florida’s speed and how they play fast. They have produced a lot of top receivers over the years too. It is a good program that is going to produce big-time players at my position.

“With Florida State, it is about the connections. From coach Norvell to coach Dugans to the off-the-field coaches, I have good relationships with a lot of coaches there. The way they won this season definitely opened my eyes more to Florida State too.”

Trader likes Ohio State and Tennessee

With the out-of-state schools, he has connections to Ohio State. His teammate and close friend, Jeremiah Smith is committed to the Buckeyes. He also played with Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate, two Ohio State signees this cycle, on the South Florida Express 7-on-7 team.

“I have been liking Ohio State for a long time,” Trader said. “Jeremiah is committed and I know guys going there, but it is really about the wide receiver production. Coach Hartline is a great coach, I love how he coaches and we have a great relationship.”

Tennessee was ranked No. 1 in the country this season at one time and Josh Heupel has that program heading in the right direction. Trader wants to check out Knoxville.

“Coach Pope is really trying hard to recruit me and show me a lot of attention. That means something to me. With how he is recruiting me, the way Tennessee played this season and the way they produced at receiver this season, that has them high on my list. Jalin Hyatt won the Fred Biletnikoff award this season and that caught my attention too.”

Trader is planning to take his time with the recruiting process. He is looking to take some unofficial visits early in 2023, decide on official visits and then take his recruitment into his senior year.

“I am going to take my time. My official visits could change that, but I do not expect to commit until December next year. I want to keep taking visits, build on relationships, see how teams next season and find the schools that can help me grow and develop the most.”