Jojo Trader’s time in Coral Gables is coming to a close-at least for now. The former four-star wide receiver and local standout from Chaminade-Madonna has entered the transfer portal, just days after Miami’s national championship loss to Indiana.
Trader’s departure is notable, but not altogether surprising. In 2025, he found himself buried on the depth chart behind Malachi Toney and veteran transfers CJ Daniels and Keelon Marion.
With Daniels and Marion now out of eligibility, it seemed like Trader was in line for a bigger role. Instead, he’s opted for a fresh start elsewhere.
Miami, however, didn’t wait long to pivot. The Hurricanes are already looking to reload with a familiar connection: Darian Mensah and Cooper Barkate, the quarterback-receiver duo that lit it up at Duke last season.
Let’s start with Mensah. Miami went all-in on the Duke transfer after missing out on Sam Leavitt and Ty Simpson.
While Mensah’s eligibility is still being sorted out in an ongoing legal battle, there’s growing optimism around Coral Gables that he’ll be ready to go in 2026. And if he is, he won’t be coming alone.
Barkate, who led Duke in receiving with 72 catches for 1,106 yards and seven touchdowns, has also hit the portal-and all signs point to him following Mensah to Miami. The former Harvard product made a seamless transition from the FCS to the ACC, and now he’s looking to finish his college career on an even bigger stage.
At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, Barkate doesn’t jump off the page physically, but his game is built on precision. He’s a technician at the line of scrimmage, using crisp route-running to beat press coverage and find space on the outside. He’s not a burner, but he’s got enough speed to keep corners honest, and his ability to decelerate and break off routes makes him a reliable target on third downs and in pressure situations.
Yes, there were moments where drops crept into his game, but Barkate plays through contact and isn’t afraid to fight for extra yards once the ball is in his hands. He’s not going to wow you with highlight-reel explosiveness, but he knows how to move the chains-and that’s exactly what Miami needs with Daniels, Marion, and now Trader out of the picture.
Pairing Barkate with Malachi Toney could give Miami a balanced one-two punch in the passing game. Toney, the slot dynamo, thrives on quickness and yards after the catch.
Barkate, meanwhile, can work the boundary and give Mensah a dependable option outside the numbers. It’s a duo that could stretch defenses in different ways and give offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson the flexibility to attack from multiple angles.
For Miami, the transition from one group of receivers to the next is already underway. Losing Trader stings, especially given his local roots and potential, but the Hurricanes aren’t standing still. With Barkate likely on board and Toney ready to take another leap, the passing game in Coral Gables might not just survive the turnover-it could evolve into something even more efficient in 2026.