Florida Football Recruiting: Joshisa Trader has elite hands

It was another busy weekend for Billy Napier as he tried to woo high school prospects to join Florida football. Among those in attendance was four-star wide receiver Joshisa Trader.

Florida, and DJ Lagway, will have work to do to bring Trader out of South Florida to Gainesville. But considering Trader’s catch radius despite his size, he’s one Napier and crew will want to fight for.

Florida Football: Trader Joe

Trader attends Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, FL. It’s the same school that five-star wide receiver and fellow Florida Gators target Jeremiah Smith attends. ESPN and Rivals have Trader listed as a five-star, while 247 and On3 have him as a four-star but on the cusp of bumping up.

What stands out in Trader’s film is his ability to catch anything that is thrown his way. It doesn’t matter if the ball is underthrown, overthrown, double covered, or wide open; Trader catches everything.

He is also slippery in space, and while his direction changes are subtle, they are extremely effective at keeping opposing corners off balance.

If you are looking for a critique, at 6’1″ and 175 pounds, Trader is on the smaller side when compared to other elite receivers. 12 of the top 20 receivers from 247 are listed over 6’1″. And while he is elusive and has great cuts and a stop-and-go move that can get him open, he’s not a burner that will consistently beat guys over the top.

But if he continues to put the work in the weight room and match the physicality needed work the SEC, it may not matter. The instincts he possesses to find the ball and catch it are rare in the world of high school football.

Lagway is hard at work to bring Trader to Gainesville. And if Trader comes, who is to say they can’t pull off the flip to get Smith to come?