Florida State’s recruiting battles in South Florida haven’t always gone their way in recent years. Big-time prospects like Rueben Bain Jr., Wesley Bissainthe, Malachi Toney, and Joshisa Trader all chose to stay closer to home and suit up for Miami. That kind of trend can sting - especially for a program that once made South Florida its personal pipeline under Jimbo Fisher.
But recruiting is a long game, and the Seminoles haven’t stopped swinging.
Now, there’s a new twist that could tilt the scales back in FSU’s favor: Miami wide receiver Joshisa Trader has entered the transfer portal.
Trader, a former top-100 recruit in the 2024 class, caught 13 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown during his freshman season with the Hurricanes. He’s the kind of playmaker who doesn’t stay on the market long, and Florida State is already emerging as a potential landing spot.
What makes this especially interesting is the connection already in place. Trader’s former high school teammate, Jasen Lopez, just signed with the Seminoles as a true freshman. Chemistry matters, and having a familiar face in Tallahassee could be a subtle but meaningful factor in Trader’s decision-making process.
At one point during his recruitment, Trader was projected to land at Florida State before ultimately committing to Miami. Now, the door may be open again - and this time, the Seminoles are in a different position.
FSU’s wide receiver room isn’t exactly thin. They’ve retained key pieces like Duce Robinson, Micahi Danzy, and Jayvan Boggs, even after losing Lawayne McCoy and Elijah Moore.
On top of that, the offense has been built around establishing the run, especially with Gus Malzahn’s influence. The backfield is loaded with talent - including Texas transfer Quintrevion Wisner, plus Ousmane Kromah and Sam Singleton Jr.
So no, wide receiver isn’t a desperate need. But that’s not the point.
Programs trying to make the leap from good to elite don’t just fill holes - they stack talent. And Trader is the kind of athlete you make room for.
Of course, Florida State won’t be the only program in the mix. LSU is expected to be a serious player, and Lane Kiffin has made it clear he’s not shy about loading up on portal talent, especially at wideout. But if the Seminoles want to bolster their receiver corps with a young, dynamic pass catcher who already has experience at the Power Four level, Trader fits the bill.
This could come down to how aggressive FSU wants to be. If they push, they’ve got a compelling pitch: a returning core, a system that’s evolving, and a familiar face already on the roster. That’s a strong foundation to build on - and potentially, a second chance to land a playmaker they once had in their sights.