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Florida high school football faces wave of transfers, sparking intense competition among schools

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Published  June 3, 2025 10:54pm EDT
Seminole County
FOX 35 Orlando
Florida high school football faces wave of transfers

Florida high school football faces wave of transfers

It’s a shift that’s shaking up the high school football scene. Top high school football players in Florida are increasingly transferring to schools in pursuit of better exposure, competition, and future opportunities.

The Brief

    • Top athletes like QB Michael Clayton II are switching schools in search of better opportunities.
    • School choice laws and NIL ambitions are reshaping team loyalty and development.
    • Coaches now compete not just on game plans, but on program appeal and player retention.

SANFORD, Fla. - It’s a shift that’s shaking up the high school football scene. Top high school football players in Florida are increasingly transferring to schools in pursuit of better exposure, competition, and future opportunities. 

What we know:

Top players are changing jerseys in search of bigger opportunities.

Seminole High School quarterback Michael Clayton II, already committed to the University of Illinois, is the latest to make a high-profile move — transferring to Miami Edison for his senior season. This trend reflects the growing influence of school choice policies and lenient FHSAA transfer rules, which allow athletes to switch schools with few limitations.

What we don't know:

It remains unclear how this increase in player movement will affect team cohesion, player development, and long-term academic outcomes. There's also uncertainty around whether future policy changes may limit such transfers, and how coaches will continue to adapt as mobility becomes a dominant factor in high school sports.

The backstory:

Florida’s school choice policies have expanded in recent years, allowing students to attend any public school with available space, regardless of district. This has opened the door for student-athletes to choose schools based on athletic opportunities rather than residency. For football players, the goal is often to gain more playing time, better coaching, or greater visibility to college recruiters.

What they're saying:

The high school football landscape is increasingly mirroring the dynamics of college football, where Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and transfer portals have revolutionized player movement. 

Some athletes transfer multiple times before graduation, reflecting a broader shift in priorities toward individual branding and competitive advantage.

"It’s gone from, you grew up in a school district, and you had to go to a school. Now with school choice, you can go to any school as long as there are seats available in that school," Influencer Counsel Athlete Agent and Financial Advisor Dan LaForest told FOX 35 Sports.

Some athletes transfer multiple times during their high school careers.

It’s a move that makes long-term development difficult. However, with current FHSAA rules, players can move schools with little restriction.

"It’s tough on a high school coach. They have to create an environment that kids want to play. It’s not x’s and o’s anymore. I think x’s and o’s are a piece of it," LaForest said.

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Florida High School Athletic Association, and Influencer Counsel Athlete Agent and Financial Advisor Dan LaForest.

 

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