- December 4, 2025
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Some of the top high school football players in the area transfer in and out of Sarasota area schools each year. That’s been the case again this offseason.
These are the top transfers to know about heading into a new fall season:
Typically, a team like Sarasota would be on the wrong end of transfers.
The Sailors have historically been on the short end of other Sarasota-area football programs. Last season, the team started 3-2, but lost its last five games to finish 3-7 under first-year coach Anthony "Amp" Campbell.
However, the Sailors have added three talented players —running back Colton Dempsey, receiver Vitkor Monoki and athlete Jayden Rivers — from Lakewood Ranch.
Each of those players should see the field in an impactful role for Sarasota, but the addition of Dempsey is intriguing.
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior rushed for 1,015 yards (6.9 yards per rush) and 13 touchdowns last year with the Mustangs, and should force defenses to respect the run game enough to open up the passing game for sophomore quarterback Hudson West, who already has six Division-I scholarship offers.
The Cougars had a key player leave this summer.
Offensive lineman Da’Ron Parks, who committed to Florida State University in July, went back home to West Virginia to play for Nitro High School the same week he committed to FSU.
That loss would hurt, but the Cougars added Nash Hudgens, a 6-foot-2, 290-pound interior lineman, from North Port in January and Trevor Dutting-Morrell, a 6-foot-1, 295-pound lineman, from Braden River in February.
Those additions, coupled with senior returners like 6-foot-3, 300-pound offensive lineman Max Polivchak and 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive lineman Ethan Salata, should keep the Cougars stout up front.
Defensively, Cardinal Mooney retained most of its top players from last season and also added defensive back Vantrez Yarn, a senior transfer from Palmetto who had two interceptions and nine tackles in the Tigers’ spring game.
Booker didn't lose any impact players this spring even though its former head coach Scottie Littles resigned in April.
Sophomore receiver Tyree Mannings Jr. transferred to Venice in July. That loss shouldn’t hurt the team too much, as the Tornadoes still have seniors Tyren Wortham, Dylan Wester and Chauncey Kennon, who combined for more than 2,300 yards and 29 touchdowns.
However, Mannings Jr. is a dynamic player who had 35 receptions for 838 yards and seven touchdowns despite being a freshman competing with four older receivers for targets. Losing Mannings Jr. will surely be felt in the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
The Tornadoes also improved their defense thanks to a local transfer, though.
Senior edge rusher Jamaun Thompson transferred from Riverview to Booker in July, and he should help replace the pass-rushing efforts of recently graduated players Jordan Radkey and Dajien Walton, who combined for 21 sacks in 2024.
Speaking of Thompson, the loss of his presence stings at Riverview.
The Rams have lost several top seniors to Sarasota County programs — namely Venice — over the past few years, and that trend has now continued into 2025.
Thompson would have fit in well on a defensive line alongside 5-foot-11, 309-pound defensive tackle Kyvon Love, but the Rams will now have to find a replacement.
Before Thompson’s departure, Riverview was in a strong spot with transfers.
The Rams had lost no players since the hiring of coach Mark Cristiani until Thomspon, and had even added three players — left tackle Luke O’Brien and receivers Trenton and Cade Huffman — from Lakewood Ranch.
Coming off a 4-6 season, Riverview still has the chance to have a better year this fall, and the challenging practices and no-nonsense discipline of Cristiani, a former Army Ranger, will likely produce a tougher team.
