Coach: Elite Florida WR targets Jeremiah Smith and Joshisa Trader are ‘freak athletes'
HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA — What’s it like coaching Jeremiah Smith and Joshisa Trader, two of the truly elite receivers in the 2024 class?
“It’s pleasant man,” said Dameon Jones, head coach at Chaminade-Madonna Prep. “Better than not coaching them. Both of them are just freak athletes. The stuff that they do you just don’t see high school kids doing.”
Smith and Trader happen to be the top two receivers in the state of Florida. Smith is the No. 1 player in the country at the potion and No. 2 overall recruit. Trader is the nation’s No. 7 receiver and checks in at No. 27 overall.
Both players are huge Florida targets.
And for good reason. On a very good team, they produce.
Smith and Trader has huge junior seasons
Smith, listed at 6-foot-3 and 198 pounds, had 58 catches for 1,073 yards and a staggering 20 touchdowns in 2022. Meanwhile, the 6-foot, 175-pound Trader recorded 47 receptions for 743 yards and seven scores.
Smith, an Ohio State commitment, will officially visit Florida on June 2. He made an official to Georgia last weekend. Ohio State and Penn State also will get officials.
Trader has yet to reveal his official visit schedule, but he told Gators Online last week Florida would get one. Miami is the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine favorite to land him.
Smith, who potentially could push for the No. 1 overall spot in the rankings, is “special,” according to Jones.
And not just in football. Smith took first in both the 100 hurdles (14.34 seconds) and 400 hurdles (54.68) at last week’s Class 1A state track and field meet.
“I’ve been coaching 15 years and haven’t seen anything like it,” Jones said. “And, he’s humble and works his tail off. Anyone running the 400 (meters) in track is a grown man,. But then to run the 400 hurdles on top of that — awe man, you’ve got to be tough-minded as well.”
Jones said Smith, despite his accomplishments, always wants to improve.
“He’s very coachable,” Jones said. “The thing is, I call him “Mute” because he doesn’t talk. So his demeanor that you saw, that’s his demeanor at all times. He’s still learning. He’s going through the process. He’s just humble with it.”
There is no rivalry between Smith and Trader, coach says
While Trader hasn’t gotten as much national attention as Smith, that hasn’t been an issue. They’re not just teammates, but close friends always pushing each other.
“They’re real tight,” Jones said. “Trader is a big-time positive influence on the whole team. He’s come up with different celebrations this year. All that stuff you see on the Internet, that’s all Trader. He has good vibes.”
As good as Smith and Trader have been, they aren’t finished products. They do have things at which they can improve.
“I would say just improving on route running. Just consistently doing stuff,” Jones said. “But they’re both good, amazing athletes. I’m happy for them. The main thing — they’re good kids. They could be some arrogant guys or whatever. And they’re not.”
