Once taboo, transfers in high school football have become commonplace, especially after Florida’s legislature made it legal. The state’s open enrollment policy essentially allows students to transfer to any high school with an open seat.
That has created a transfer portal system for players and schools in the state much like in the college game.
Here are the Southwest Florida players that we have confirmed are on the move this summer with where they are leaving, where they are going, and a look at their past performances.
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Old school: Lehigh
New school: Immaculata-La Salle
Analysis: Lehigh’s quarterback is one of many local stars transferring to Miami this cycle, opting for a new start at Immaculata-La Salle for his final season. Mallary completed 51.8 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,399 yards with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He added 435 yards on the ground and a pair of scores.
Old school: Lehigh
New school: Immaculata-La Salle
Analysis: Following Mallary will be his top target from a season ago in Smith, who was a top three wide receiver in Lee County a season ago. Smith hauled in 40 receptions for 859 yards, adding 10 touchdowns. Smith will get his taste of South Florida speed, playing against Booker T. Washington among others.
Old school: Golden Gate
New school: First Baptist
Analysis: Fils-Aime and many other returning stars are leaving Golden Gate following the best season in school history. As a sophomore, Fils-Aime was a Southwest Florida Defensive Player of the Year finalist following a season in which he had 90 tackles (30 for loss), 12 sacks, 15 quarterback hurries, and a pair of fumble recoveries. Expect Fils-Aime to help address a weakness that was exploited in consequential games a season ago for FBA.
Previously:FHSAA does not vote on proposal to allow transfers to play in spring football games
Old school: Golden Gate
New school: First Baptist
Analysis: The area’s reigning Broxson Trophy winner is on the move, confirming to the Naples Daily News that he’s headed to First Baptist. With Golden Gate last season, Martino had 24 offensive touches for 470 yards and 11 touchdowns, adding 35 tackles, 3 interceptions, and a fumble recovery. If Martino plays both ways, that’ll more than offset FBA’s loss of Winston Watkins.
Old school: Golden Gate
New school: First Baptist
Analysis: The Lions add offensive line help, getting Golden Gate’s starting center to make the trek up to First Baptist. Joseph was the team’s starting center last season, helping the Titans average 7.2 yards per rush, which included near 1,700-yard rusher in Trayvon Jean. Expect Joseph to step in right away and help an FBA team that averaged less than 4 yards per carry a season ago.
Old school: East Lee County
New school: Miami Northwestern
Analysis: The 3-star defensive lineman is South Florida bound, heading to play for Teddy Bridgewater and the Bulls at Northwestern. Last season, Thomas posted 35 tackles on the defensive line, adding 8.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.
Old school: First Baptist
New school: Venice
Analysis: The area’s best receiver opted to leave Southwest Florida for one final dance at Venice. Watkins played in three games for IMG before transferring to First Baptist, where he was a Southwest Florida Offensive Player of the Year finalist. In 11 games with the Ascenders and Lions, Watkins posted 70 receptions for 1,303 yards and 15 receiving touchdowns.
Old school: Canterbury
New school: Bishop Verot
Analysis: The highly touted quarterback is on the move from Canterbury to Verot and will be in the quarterback room with Michigan commit and reigning Gatorade Player of the Year, Carter Smith. Cristiaan saw time as Canterbury’s starting quarterback as an eighth-grader, putting him in a position to potentially be a three-year starter with the Vikings upon Smith’s graduation.
Old school: East Lee County
New school: Bishop Verot
Analysis: Prieto’s size and physicality up front will surely help Verot offensively, as the 6-foot-4, 305-pound junior will have two years with the Vikings. On the interior, he helped pave the way for a 1,500-yard rusher in Laz Rogers, who averaged 7.3 yards per carry.
Old school: South Fort Myers
New school: Bishop Verot
Analysis: The 6-foot-4, 200-pound defensive end departed South Fort Myers’ program following Willis May’s resignation and move to Riverdale as the team’s offensive coordinator. Enguita posted 60 tackles (22 for loss), adding 6 sacks for the Wolfpack last season.
Old school: Aubrey Rogers
New school: Fort Myers
Analysis: Ardezzone leaves Aubrey Rogers after just one season, making the trek up to Lee County to play for the Green Wave. Ardezzone completed 38.6 percent of his passes last season, throwing for 459 yards with 3 touchdowns against 5 interceptions. He’ll be vying for the starting job with Aadi Chaudhari, who connected with Madrid Tucker for an 82-yard touchdown on the team’s second offensive play in the spring against Lake Wales.
Old school: True North Classical
New school: Gulf Coast
Analysis: Hope returns to Southwest Florida after spending his eighth-grade season at True North in Miami. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound quarterback will be in the quarterback room vying for the starting job with incumbent Jace Seyler back in the fold for his senior season.
Old school: Dunbar
New school: East Lee County
Analysis: Singleton’s role in the Dunbar offense was limited last season, likely prompting a move to East Lee County. With the Tigers, he ran 25 times for 111 yards, adding 2 receptions for 11 yards and a touchdown. Expect his role to be more enhanced with the Jaguars, who are looking to improve off of last season’s 5-5 finish.
Old school: Lehigh
New school: Fort Myers
Analysis: Daniels is headed to Fort Myers after spending last season with Lehigh. At 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, Daniels should give the Green Wave some key offensive line help, which looked inferior against Lake Wales in a 59-31 loss. If the Greenies get what they think they can out of Daniels, the offensive line might be better than expected heading into fall camp.
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
The post 2024 SW FL Transfer Tracker: Which high school football players have switched schools – Naples Daily News appeared first on Walipromotes.