Midwest High School Transfers Heading South to Find Glory
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There aren’t any available statistics to cite here, but there has been an influx and increase of high school football players transferring from one program to another, simply for football exposure, visibility, or opportunities. It’s a trend that is both…
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Continue ReadingThere aren’t any available statistics to cite here, but there has been an influx and increase of high school football players transferring from one program to another, simply for football exposure, visibility, or opportunities. It’s a trend that is both concerning and fascinating, as well as one that is rising closer and closer into our day-to-day understanding of high school football. Because I am so enveloped in this space, I have been tracking and recording some high-major and notable prep football talents that have transferred from the Midwest to seek, as well as find, recruiting glory in the Southern United States.
Get to know some Midwest High School Transfers Heading South to Find Glory, below!
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Transferred from: East St. Louis High School (East. St. Louis, Illinois) to DeSoto High School (DeSoto, Texas)
From one powerhouse to another, Illinois product Sael Reyes transferred from Illinois 6A powerhouse and talent-rich recruiting hub East St. Louis to Texas 6A heavyweight DeSoto, located right outside of Dallas and the 2023 UILTexas 6A state champion. Reyes played his freshman and sophomore seasons with the ESL Flyers, totaling 63 tackles and 5 INTs, but left for Texas before his junior season in 2023. As a junior with the Eagles, Reyes helped DeSoto to a 16-0 record while finishing the season with 60 tackles, 3 TFLs, a sack, an INT, and a forced fumble. The brother of former Texas A&M turned Jacksonville Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson, Reyes saw the offers start to roll in while he still was at ESL, hearing from Ole Miss first in June of 2022, which was followed by Marshall, Texas A&M, Buffalo, Illinois, Arkansas, Nebraska, Duke, Mizzou, Jackson State (then with Deion Sanders as HC), and Minnesota, all in 2022. In January of 2023, he announced his transfer to DeSoto, which really opened up the recruitment, especially after his state championship winning season in 2023. Once the new year rolled around, Miami (FL), Oklahoma, Colorado (from Deion Sanders), Texas, Tennessee, UCF, Purdue, Arizona State, LSU, re-offered by Arkansas, re-offered by Nebraska, Oregon, Grambling State, and Baylor, Wisconsin, all before junior year kicked off. Last September, Reyes named a Top 8, earned a few more offers, won a state title, and this past May, took officials to SMU and Miami (FL), and on May 19th announced he was committed to Southern Methodist University, a massive pickup for the Mustangs. This is an interesting transfer, as I’m inclined to think that he would be in a similar position offer-wise if he stayed at ESL, as the Flyers are a nonstop host to college coaches, but to see so much success and production at a Texas and national power like DeSoto absolutely rose his stock as a prospect. I doubt he’d have committed to SMU if he stayed in Illinois as well, but you never know. Either way, it’s a kid that the Land of Lincoln would have loved to claim as their own and a kid who will be fun to watch at the P4 level.
A thumper who strikes a very physical presence from the safety spot, Reyes, while playing against some of the best competition in the nation in 2023, showed off closing speed, patience and instincts in coverage, speed to stay on top of faster WRs going vertical, and a playmaking mentality once he gets the ball in his hands. The 6’1, 190 lber. comes downhills and closes with impressive speed from his safety position and can enforce the run and make plays behind the LOS from his safety spot, and also displays smooth change of direction skills that help him play comfortably and sticky in man coverage. He can anticipate and recognize routes in real time, good eye discipline and ball skills, and is a good tackler in space. Reyes comes downhill with pace but can break down and use his body control to stay square, balanced, and powerful into contact. One of the best DBs in Texas and a popular, talented, and physical safety pickup for SMU out of their backyard. We’ll be seeing him balling out on Saturdays soon.
Transferred from: Goddard High School (Goddard, Kansas) to Wiregrass Ranch High School (Tampa, Florida)
Big loss for the Sunflower State here in CB Graceson Littleton, who transferred from Goddard High School in South Central Kansas to the fertile recruiting grounds of Florida and Tampa Wharton High School, and then to Wiregrass Ranch High School, also in Tampa. It’s a shame too, as Kansas is on quite the come-up in-terms of high school football recruiting prowess, and the state’s 2025 and 2026 classes are rich in top-end prep football recruits and would be even richer if Littleton had hung around. However, it’s hard not to argue that the move was good for the CB, as he started receiving D1 FBS offers as soon as he got to the Sunshine State, starting with Middle Tennessee State University in June of 2023, just as Littleton was preparing for his first season of football in the state of Florida. Akron followed in September, and Kansas State became P4 offer #1 in November thanks to Littleton’s tape and junior season performance, but things really got rolling in the offseason. Once the new year rolled around, Littleton added an astounding 39 more FBS and P4 offers, the latest of which have come from the likes of Clemson, Georgia, Michigan, USC, Auburn, and Colorado, and just last week he locked in his five official visits. It’s a fun list, with Penn State getting the first impression, followed by Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Iowa. However, right before we were set to go live with this article, Littleton shut things down and will not take the remainder of his official visits, as the Clemson Tigers earned the commitment of the superstar CB prospect. What a land for Dabo & Co.
Starting CB for Tampa Wharton in 2023, helping the Wildcats to Florida’s 3M playoffs while finishing the season with 30 tackles, an INT, two punt returns for a TD, and a kickoff return for six. Ran a 10.91 on Wharton’s track team as well, and had a 70 yard bomb of a TD catch in Wiregrass Ranch’s spring game down in the Sunshine State. Two plays into the junior film you can tell he’s a dude. Aggressive, fluid, explosive, and the pure speed and explosiveness, as well as body control, pop right away. Explosive in the return game, and also has a great rep of him running down a loose WR as the backside corner 50+ yards downfield to save a TD. Speed is everywhere in Littleton’s tape, and he’s a playmaker and TD threat every time he gets his hands on the ball. I love his skillset as a press corner – length is there, he’s comfortable and effective at the LOS in his press, is physical, but maintains good body position and doesn’t lunge or open the gate. If he does make an error in judgement, the raw speed and competitiveness help him get right back into the receivers hip pocket, allowing him to play aggressively in coverage. Can mirror and weave well. Flexible. Good hips, quick feet, and aggressive and eye-catching ball skills. The length, athleticism, and physicality at the LOS and he’s consistent presence in the grill of Florida WRs at every point in the route. Fits in well with the top-tier talent in the Sunshine State. Obvious NFL talent and a really fun and natural cornerback prospect with all the tools going for him. Kansas built, baby!
Highlights
Transferred from: Montini Catholic (Lombard, Illinois) to IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
One of many Chicagoland talents to get poached by the one-and-only IMG Academy down in Bradenton, Florida, former Montini Catholic Bronco Donovan Olugbode followed in the footsteps of fellow Land of Lincoln natives JJ McCarthy and Carnell Tate to trade their jerseys for the white & blue of the Ascenders, creating a very decorated recent pipeline of Illinois talent to the national powerhouse that is IMG. He left for Florida after his freshman year and has now developed into a Top 100 kid nationally (according to 247Sports), and as a junior in 2023 he caught 31 passes for 561 yards and 5 TDs on the 10-0 Ascenders national team. No offers until he got to Florida, the first of which came from Iowa in June of 22, and was followed by 29 more P4 offers from the likes of Ohio State, Notre Dame, Alabama, Oregon, Georgia, and Florida State. In May, he took four officials to Washington, USC, Florida, and Mizzou, and Oregon is in the mix as well.
Things seemed too easy at times for the 6’1, 200 lber. in his junior tape with IMG, found himself very wide open more often than not and was able to flash his outstanding and top-tier body control, power, and vertical ability all season long and in a variety of on-field scenarios. Dangerous as a deep threat, in contested catch situations, and after the catch, Olugbode is is shifty at the top of the route and in his releases at the LOS, strong at the catch point, displaying good concentration and power & playmaking ability after the catch. What really catches my eye is the fantastic body control and ball skills, which combine for highlight-reel catches, including one-handed snags and an an overall very big catch radius. Olugbode’s timing, bounce, and coordination make him a big-time threat on 50/50 balls, especially in the red zone. Shows Sunday potential and is an excellent continuation of IMG’s highly-decorated WR alums of recent memory.
Transferred from: Andrean High School (Merrillville, Indiana) to Bishop Verot High School (Fort Myers, Florida)
A 6’1, 220 lb. LB/ATH out of the Hoosier State, rising junior Jarritt Bolz left Andrean High School, home to some very impressive prep prospects in recent cycles, for the Sunshine State and the Fort Myers area sometime this winter. He was picking up some steam while in Indiana, earning his three FBS offers from Toledo, Central Michigan, and Miami (OH) all while he was at Andrean, and earning a high ranking by our staff at PRzIN. The spring tape just came out with the first evidence of Bolz in a Bishop Verot uniform, and it looks good, as he was bull rushing over blockers, getting home and finding paydirt as a blitzer, and looking speedy for a 6’1, 220 lber. at the same time, identifying, finding, and eliminating the rock quickly and effectively. I also like his sophomore film in Indiana, where he posted 99 tackles, 9 TFLs, 3 sacks, 5 FFs, 4 PBUs, and an INT, earning All-Area and All-Conference honors along the way. Bolz tracks, closes, and pursues well in space, and displays solid play speed for his size as well. He’s a three-down LB who has pass-rushing capability and can also contribute in pass coverage. Bolz can step into passing lanes in that hook/curl zone and has the speed to carry TEs and slot receivers across the field in man coverage as well. The speed, change of direction, and comfortability in space, all are particularly impressive for a 6’1, 220 lb. sophomore ILB, and I’m excited to see how the change in scenery and competition will positively impact his development and recruitment. The summer camp circuit/junior tape will be a big factor in the Hoosier State product rising into that P4 recruiting space. His talent and budding talent will be missed in Indiana, which is already showing a deep and promising 2026 class themselves. Keep your eyes out for the Fort Myers LB this fall!
Highlights
Transferred from: Green Bay Southwest High School (Green Bay, Wisconsin) to IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
Another Upper Midwest talent heading to the prestigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, LB Jacob Hanson comes out of the Green Bay area and is repping the Badger State well while in Florida. Running with IMG’s in-state team, Hanson, a 6′, 205 lb. 2025 linebacker, had a good season as an off-ball LB. His best trait is his tackling, but his play speed and ability to make plays in pass coverage are also impressive. He opens his tape with back-to-back impressive tackles, one meeting a RB in the hole for a big hit while absorbing and driving the RB backward, and the next on a fantastic pursuit line on kickoff coverage for a sweet tackle while going full speed. He’s a big hitter with strength, and consistent form, and he comes into contact with pace. Hanson also displays productive play speed, is comfortable in space, gets out of his breaks well, and shows some coverage skills in man coverage from the slot. Hanson is also quick and uses body positioning to his advantage when defeating blocks around the box, and has a heckuva motor that never quits pumping. He earned his first overall and first D1 offer in March from Missouri State, took a visit in early April, and committed on April 11th. Also a National Honors Society member with a 32 ACT, I think the move to IMG paid off for Hanson, as Missouri State is venturing up to Wisconsin very often, and colleges will feel better about the film, technique, and ability of a prospect when they’re at IMG. Either way, you are missed in Wisconsin, young man! Enjoy the scorching heat of a Central Florida summer.
Highlights
Transferred from: Kettle Moraine High School (Wales, Wisconsin) to IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
Sticking with Wisconsinites who made the trip to IMG here, Kettle Moraine High School product Chase Spellman had a heckuva career with the Wisconsin D2 heavyweight Lasers, winning the school’s first state championship in 34 years as a senior in 2022, finishing with a ton of high school experience and production, and earning a FCS offer from Western Illinois along the way. However, Spellman wasn’t happy with how his recruitment played out, and announced he was transferring for a post-grad season at IMG in March of 2023.
His post-grad film shows a QB with great size and a big arm that can stretch the field and put noticeable zip on his more intermediate passes, as well as complete some of the harder passes on the route tree. Spellman displays solid accuracy, can climb the pocket and step up through pressure, can throw on the move, and will stand in there and finish passes through oncoming contact. The 6’4 signal-caller can run the read option, shows some quickness, and strikes an intimidating presence he tucks and takes off as a ball carrier. He will run behind his pads and can pick up big chunks of yardage to keep the chains moving. FCS Tennessee State took notice, offered up, and Spellman accepted in March. The Wisconsin product is heading to Nashville, another stop in his developing football journey. You’re making the Badger State proud, Chase!
Highlights
Transferred from: Orchard Lake-St. Mary’s High School (Orchard Lake, Michigan) to IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
The first of a handful of Michigan born-and-bred prospects to head south to the powerhouse that is IMG Academy, DB AJ Marks AJ Marks 5'8" | 140 lbs | DB Orchard Lake St. Mary's | 2026 MI is a fantastic DB prospect out of the 2026 class whose recruiting attention and prowess are missed in The Mitten, despite the state being a heavyweight recruiting area in America’s Heartland. National prospects are always missed, and Marks was developing into one since his freshman year at Orchard Lake-St. Mary’s High School in the suburbs of Pontiac, Michigan. His freshman campaign with OLSM earned the 5’10, 150 lb. DB 14 D1 offers, First Team All-Region, Dream Team Honorable Mention honors on the gridiron, as well as earning New Balance All-American honors during indoor track season and placing in the state (D2) in the 200M and 100M. However, in July of 2023, a month before his sophomore season was set to kick off, Marks announced on Twitter that he was transferring to IMG Academy in the Sunshine State to compete in both football and track and field. Since then, Marks has earned offers from Florida A&M, Western Illinois, and Tennessee, and has established himself as one of the best DBs on IMG’s talent-heavy roster, not to mention in the state of Florida overall.
Playing with the vaunted IMG Nation Team and seeing action at CB, FS, and nickel, Marks posted 54 tackles (30 solo), 20 PBUs, 2 INTs, and allowed only 12 catches on over 500 snaps in 2023, including a five-game stretch without allowing a catch. Also helped out in the return game and didn’t allow a single TD catch in 2023 as a sophomore. The foundation of his skillset is speed, speed, and more speed, and he’s a playmaker with the ball in his hands and has the top-end speed to stay in-phase with nationally-renowned WRs and top-tier competition. Super sticky in coverage, Marks displays quick and fluid COD skills, loose hips, and great ball skills that help him play aggressively at the catch point. Marks snagged a crazy one-handed INT in the opening clips of his sophomore tape, and is a slippery and twitchy ball carrier who can get up to top speed quickly, which helped him operate as an explosive and electric returner who was a nightmare for opposing kickoff coverage teams to handle. Additionally, he’s a good form tackler, packs some punch for his size, and doesn’t hesitate to stick his head in the run game. The natural coverage ability, including body control, short-area quickness and adjustment ability, top-end speed, and physicality, as well as the success he had against the national team’s top-tier competition, are a heckuva recipe for success at the college level. Lot of runway left in this one too, folks.
Transferred from: Cass Tech (Detroit, Michigan) to IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
Michigan-made defensive back and standout 2025 recruit Alex Graham was plucked from the ranks of one of the Midwest’s best high school programs ahead of his junior season by IMG Academy down in Central Florida. The top-notch competition at Detroit public school league powerhouse Cass Tech certainly prepped Graham for the talent that was awaiting him with the Ascenders, and he came into Bradenton already holding a major list of P4 offers under his belt, over 30 in fact, so it’s safe to assume he transferred for the competition as opposed to the recruiting visibility provided by IMG. Since the transfer however, he added Texas A&M, Utah, Georgia, and Colorado offers, and was re-offered by Michigan State, and cut things down to a final 4 in mid-April before committing to Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes for another high-profile recruiting win for Sanders and the Buffs.
Running with the IMG National Team, Graham is a CB who fires out of his break with noticeable and eye-catching pace and is a big-time thumper and aggressive tackler who flies into contact and laid some punishing hits in 2023. Good speed, aided by some solid track times in 2023 (6.98 60, 22.40 200), impressive ball skills, attacks blockers, and is a physical and willing participant in run support, and really highlights his overall athleticism as a returner, where he’s slippery, sudden, and explosive with the ball in his hands. Top-tier athlete, top-tier recruit, finding success and balling out at a top-tier high school football program. You’ll be hearing Alex Graham’s name on Saturday’s in no time.
![Camren Hamiel](https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/themes/prep-network-content/public/images/generic-male.png)
Camren Hamiel
Camren Hamiel
Transferred from: Northrop High School (Fort Wayne, Indiana) to Desert Edge High School (Goodyear, Arizona)
Another Indiana boy no longer enjoying Indiana nights, 2026 6’1, 175 lb. defensive back Camren Hamiel is a recent transfer to the Southern United States, specifically the SW United States, as he took his talents to Desert Edge this offseason. Despite finding success on Fort Wayne-area gridirons as an underclassman, Hamiel saw his recruitment really pop off once he got to AZ, and the past month and change has been a whirlwind on the recruiting trail for the rising junior. UNLV offered first, coming in on April 29th, and they were followed by Kansas, Michigan State, Bowling Green State, Kansas State, Cal-Berkeley, Arizona State, and San Diego State, all in less than a month. The momentum was created in Indiana, but it seems like it really came to fruition in Arizona. As a sophomore at Northrop, Hamiel posted 47 tackles, 2 PBUs, a TFL, and a FF, and he also popped off some solid track times, namely a 11.28 100M, 23.16 200M, and a 52.37 400M.
Hamiel possesses the height/length college programs are looking for in high school defensive backs and can play both corner and safety, though it looks like safety is where he best projects to in college. Displays good change of direction, and start/stop ability that help him mirror and adjust to subtleties in a receivers route and is a powerful tackler, whether he cuts a ball carrier or hits them straight up, and he does a good job of preventing extra yardage once he makes contact. Hamiel brings a physical presence as the MOF defender, demonstrates good range in both run support and pass coverage, he comes downhill, and can close space with pace when triggering on ball carriers. The speed pops on tape, as he can run down loose ball carriers heading for six, carry WRs on shorter routes across the field, and close with noticeable pace, and you can tell he thrives, excels, and loves the physical aspects of the game. Enjoys laying a big hit and physically dominating his opponents.
Transferred from: Centennial High School (Circle Pines, Minnesota) to Lake Dallas High School (Corinth, Texas)
Representing the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Juan Garcia-Okoi is a recent transfer from the Lone Star State after playing his freshman season at Centennial High School in Circle Pines, Minnesota, the 2023 MN 6A state champions. He played sophomore and JV as a freshman, but before the new year rolled around, Garcia-Okoi was already in Texas, attending Lake Dallas High School outside of Denton.
Garcia-Okoi played RB/WR/CB for the Cougars in 2023, showing good things on both sides of the ball despite playing against non-varsity competition. He displays the speed to hurt defenses when he gets the edge on a defense, is shifty at the top of the route, possesses great ball skills and loose hips, and is instinctive and comfortable in zone coverage as a corner and sticky in off-man coverage. Big year for the rising sophomore next fall as he looks to assert himself against Texas varsity competition. Lot of runway left in this Midwest standout heading south to find glory.
Highlights
Transferred from: MacArthur High School (Decatur, Illinois) to Katy High School (Katy, Texas)
I’m currently updating and finalizing the inaugural Illinois 2027 Rankings for PrepRedzoneIL, and selfishly I would have loved for this kid to stay in the Midwest and rep the Great State of Illinois. He’d be either #1 or #2 in Illinois as of right now, and the Land of Lincoln would have loved to retain his talent, especially if you’re the staff and players at MacArthur High School in Decatur. However, you can’t blame a kid for taking the opportunity to play at a program that vaunted 6A Texas program Katy, and the freshman season he had at MacArthur was nothing short of freaky.
A 6’3, 220 lb. prep RB, but with the special size/athleticism combo, I like the “ATH” designation for Johnson Cook, given the tools and amount of time left in his development and maturation. I don’t use this word often, but Myson Johnson Cook is a freak. 6’3, 220 lber. with 10.75 100M & 22.0 200M speed, a MaxPreps All-American, verified 4.53 40 as a freshman, and earned an instate P4 offer from Illinois prior to his freshman year kicking off, Johnson Cook is the closest thing you can find to dropping Derrick Henry into a prep football game. Displays absurd contact balance for his age and exactly what you’d hope for in a RB of his size with a vicious truck stick and and the speed to outrun defenders by 15-20 yards every touchdown. Talking about speed, Johnson Cook exemplifies homerun speed, and opens his tape with a 100-yard run deep from the back of his own endzone that finished with him 20 yard away from the nearest pursuer. The speed is legit, folks, and the acceleration is frightening, he can go from running you over to top speed in a blink. The track speed shows up not only in the fact that he’s 15-20 yards away from the closest defender every TD run, but also in his beautiful sprint form and gait. Also displays smooth and fluid cuts and change of direction ability, adding to the freakiness for his size and age. He can beat tackle attempts with pure speed, power, or quickness, but adds a particularly physically dominant and downright rare & special flavor to the film and onto the gridiron. As our General Manager and National Scouting Director Jake Lemming has stated: this kid looks like a 5star. That means a future first round NFL Draft pick, folks. Generational-type talent out of the Land of Lincoln who will finish things out in the Lonestar State. Johnson Cook offers from Texas A&M, Tennessee, Oregon, Georgia, Baylor, Purdue, SMU, Nebraska, Penn State, Iowa, and Illinois.
Highlights
Transferred from Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School (St. Louis Park, Minnesota) to Guyer High School (Denton, Texas)
A product of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, around 15 minutes from where I grew up in Minneapolis, the state of Minnesota lost a good one in freshman superstar Khyren Haywood. As a homer for the state of Minnesota, I can’t help but be a little bummed about Haywood leaving the state for southern pastures, as his talent was going to find its way to P4 eyes no matter where he grew up, and Haywood was set to be one of the most popular Minnesota high school football prospects of all time. However, Guyer High School is a powerhouse in the Lonestar State and national recruiting scene, and Haywood shot his stock into the stratosphere after starting, and balling out, for Guyer as a freshman. The Minnesota-made defensive lineman was one of the more hyped middle school prospects the state has seen, earning a UA Next 8th Grade All-American nod, and was already living up the hype and then some while in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, playing freshman/JV ball as an 8th grader with Benilde-St. Margaret’s in the outer ring suburbs of Minneapolis. P4 programs took notice of both the early high school readiness, as well as impressive tape, as Arizona State became the young man’s first offer while he was still in Minnesota. However, things really blew up towards the end of his freshman campaign in Texas. Starting with Baylor in early November, Haywood added Houston, SMU, and North Texas, and after Haywood began to really assert himself in the offseason camp circuits down south, teams such as TCU (who offered after he visited a spring practice), Texas Tech, Ole Miss, and Arkansas offered in the spring contact window. This past week, UTSA, Oregon, Pitt, and Kansas State have added themselves to his growing list of suitors. What a stud we have on our hands!
The 6’2, 270 lber. was named 5-6A All-District as a freshman in 2023, and is a three-sport athlete who also competes in baseball and basketball and holds a 3.8 GPA. Physically, he’s well above his peers in terms of strength, body control, and athleticism, and was effective and aggressive against top-notch Texas competition. A DT that can play as a true NG or as a 3T, but does have reps as a DE outside of the tackle, one of the things we loved about Haywood in Minnesota was get-off, and he’s only gotten more explosive since moving down south. Haywood flies out of his stance and into the backfield impressively, and he also displays significant strength at the point of attack. He can move, shuck, and drive big, strong, upperclassmen iOL out of his way, out of the gap, and occasionally into the dirt. Keeps his hands active, and understands how to take advantage when an OL gets off-balance, but overall just uses his upper body strength to shed blocks whenever he pleases. Haywood demonstrates noticeable power when he locks out his arms after the initial punch and can hold iOL at bay before easily shocking & shedding with his powerful hands, arsenal of moves & counters, and raw strength at his disposal. Also can make tackles through contact and with OL draped all over him, and is an unmoving and physical presence in the middle of the LOS. Shows some twitch and lateral quickness, both of which stand out for his age and size, and he also is effective running stunts & twists around the LOS and has a nonstop motor between the whistles. Haywood shows Sunday ability and potential and is going to be one of the most physically dominant players in Texas these next few years. I hope he continues to rep Minnesota, as we will surely continue to rep him.
Highlights
Transferred from: Carmel Catholic (Mundelein, Illinois) to St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida)
The state of Illinois has really lost some high-end talent in the next couple cycles. National powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas down in Ft. Lauderdale got a good one in 2026 6′, 210 lb. LB Phillip Goodrich Jr., who was already making waves in the Land of Lincoln as a freshman starter with Carmel Catholic in suburban Chicago, a recruiting power themselves as of late who are home to the #1 player in the Illinois 2027 class. He posted 38 tackles, 6 TFLs, 4 PBUs, and 3 sacks, along with 38 rushes for 237 yards and 3 TDs with the Corsairs as a freshman in 2022, but moved to Florida in the offseason. After his sophomore season with STA, the offers began to roll in, beginning with Florida International in December of 2023. Pitt, South Florida, Indiana, Florida Atlantic, Temple, and West Virginia all offered during the winter contact period, and Goodrich Jr. has been on the grind ever since. He wrestles in the winter, making it to the FSHAA regional championships in the 215 lb. bracket, and made some visits to the USF spring game, as well as to Florida and Miami, for unofficials this spring. Still a lot of time left in this recruitment, folks.
Playing varsity with the vaunted STA Raiders in 2023 as a sophomore, Goodrich Jr. showed that speed and aggression were the name of his game in 2023, and although there are still some questions about his size, the athleticism can be somewhat verified by the fact that he started and greatly contributed to one of South Florida’s and the nation’s top producers of high school football talent. A powerful tackler who does a good job of working underneath the blocking attempts of OL scramping to the second level, Goodrich Jr. is smooth when navigating through traffic and triggering on the football, displays a strong open field tackle capability, and has pursuit range and closes with pace. Goodrich Jr. showed he is quick and elusive with the ball in his hands, as shown by his INT for a TD last fall, and he’s a good special teams player who is especially impressive on kickoff coverage, showing some eye-catching speed and physicality. I’d like to see him broaden his game and production in 2024, but given the role he carved out as a sophomore in 2023, you can bet your butt he’s put himself in a good position to continue to develop. Repping Illinois well, young man!
Highlights
Transferred from: Carbondale Community High School (Carbondale, Illinois) to Apopka High School (Apopka, Florida)
I was a big fan of Damar’eon Cawthon after his freshman season in the Land of Lincoln, ranking him #15 overall and as WR3 in the 2026’s inaugural rankings publishment. Sometime after his freshman season concluded, Cawthon transferred to Orlando-area powerhouse Apopka High School, one of the most fertile recruiting grounds in Central Florida. He didn’t play in 2023, but is set to explode on the Sunshine State’s prep football scene this fall after what was becoming an accomplished and explosive career in Illinois.
The spring game highlights against Orlando public school heavyweight Jones High School, displayed a 6’2, 190 lb. WR who is a shifty route runner who breaks off his routes well and can naturally find and exploit holes in zone coverage. He is sure-handed and displays a big catch radius, including on throws behind him, and can finish receptions through contact and will go up and high-point the football out of the air. Cawthon is also sudden after the catch – sending a would-be tackler flying by him and off his feet and onto his face in impressive and embarrassing fashion, and can utilize and take advantage of space provided to him by a defense. Fast, big, quick, I like where his recruitment is heading. No offers yet, but that could change any day now. Get in before he’s too hot!
Highlights
Transferred from: Novi Central Catholic (Novi, Michigan) to IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
An absolute bruiser of an offensive center prospect, Michigan-made 2025 OL prospect Kaden Strayhorn is from the Detroit area, but was plucked from the Detroit Central Catholic ranks in Novi, Michigan for perennial national title contender IMG ahead of his sophomore season, wherein he was named a MaxPreps Preseason Sophomore All-American First-Team selection. Strayhorn has developed into massively popular prospect, holding well over 20 P4 offers, and although 9 came before the transfer to IMG, including P4 offers Nick Saban at Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan, Pitt, Syracuse, and Michigan State, the move to Bradenton cemented his status as one of the top iOL recruits in the nation. Fast forward a couple of years, and Strayhorn named a Top 12 of USC, Texas, Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State, tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Michigan State, Alabama, Miami (FL), and Mizzou, and is continuing to progress through his official visits to crawl closer for a commitment, but he has plenty of time and schools will be willing to keep a spot open for the young man from the Mitten.
Playing on a national schedule against some of the top competition America has to offer, Strayhorn, as the RT on the Ascender’s national team, demonstrated pure and imposing aggression and brute strength into contact, solidifying himself as one of the strongest interior linemen prospects in the USA. You can see him actively and aggressively work to finish opponents hard into the turf, and he’s a vicious puller who flies out of his stance and uses good footwork and technique to close on defenders in a hurry. Fluid and shows off body control and quickness when working in space, crushing run blocker at the point of attack, nasty streak worth writing home about, and displays a good pass set. I like his combination of balance and footwork, which allows him to smoothly adjust to a rusher’s path despite his formidable size. Someone is going to land an iOL prospect ready-made for the college game and who is going to love and excel in the ultra-physical trench warfare games along a collegiate LOS. Stay tuned for an upcoming commitment from Strayhorn, and stay on notice for his younger brother as well.
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