Baltimore Ravens quarterback and South Florida native Lamar Jackson added volume to a growing question in Miami circles last week: Where is JoJo Trader? Jackson posted on X asking, "What happened to Jojo Trader? I don’t see him out there for Miami," after the Hurricanes' loss to Louisville, drawing fresh attention to the sophomore wide receiver's limited usage.
What happened to Jojo Trader? I don’t see him out there for Miami
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) October 18, 2025
Trader arrived at Miami with top-tier credentials and has the ability to play at the college level. The former Chaminade-Madonna star was a blue-chip signee in Miami's 2024 class — graded a five-star by ESPN and a consensus top-50 prospect — before flashing late in his true freshman season. He appeared in seven games in 2024 and broke out in the Pop-Tarts Bowl with three catches for 61 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown.
This fall, however, production has stalled. Through six games of the 2025 season, Trader has not recorded a catch, and he logged only one snap against Louisville.
I wrote story last week about this topic. Dawson was asked last Monday about Jojo. He said Trader is healthy now and he expects him to play more. It's disappointing it didn't happen Friday when he played 1 offensive snap, compared to 30 plus for Keelan Marion. Good question Luke.…
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) October 19, 2025
Part of the explanation is health. Trader missed time earlier this season with an undisclosed injury but has since been cleared. Clearance to play hasn't immediately translated to targets, but it helps explain why he wasn't a fixture in September.
Competition in the WR room is the other piece to the puzzle. Miami rebuilt its receiver room through the transfer portal in the offseason and the emergence of true freshman Malachi Toney has added another roadblock in the depth chart for Trader. Sixth year senior transfer C.J. Daniels and freshman Toney have led the rotation — Daniels and Toney played 60 and 57 snaps, respectively, versus Louisville — while Keelan Marion has been the next man up.
Toney has a team-leading 38 receptions for 510 yards with Daniels adding 30 catches for 343 yards and 5 TDs. Marion has 16 receptions for 158 yards and TE Elija Lofton is fourth on the team in receiving with 12 catches for 104 yards. As of right now, the fourth WR slot, or 5th pass catching option, does seem to be open. That could be where Trader fits in as the season moves down the home stretch.
Coaches have publicly framed Trader's path back to a bigger role around consistent practice and day-to-day habits, not a lack of talent or ability. In January, head coach Mario Cristobal praised Trader's upside and urged a "be more of a pro about all of his dailies" approach after bumps that limited practice time at points last year. As of right now, that sentiment seems to be the same from Cristobal. Last week, offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said Trader had put together "a very good week" of practice and that the staff "look[ed] forward to him making some plays," signaling the door remains open for him.
None of that changes why Jackson — and Miami fans — are asking. Expectations grew after Trader's bowl game performance and when a high-ceiling player isn't on the field in a loss, it stands out. As of right now, based on the available evidence, things point to an early-season injury, a crowded depth chart and a coaching staff that wants to make sure the underclassman is up to speed in practice.