High school football: Trae Taylor, Nick Lennear headline top 10 transfers heading into 2026 season

Nation's top quarterback stepping in to replace Jett Thomalla for high-powered Millard South.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Aaron Williams
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Jul 30, 2026, 10:00am
Some of the nation's top high school football players have changed addresses.

Continuing our preview of the 2026 season, we look at 10 players who have transferred and have the potential to alter the outlook for their new teams. 

Read on for a look at the list at recognizable faces in new places this fall.
Trae Taylor, Millard South (Omaha, Neb.) from Carmel (Mundelein, Ill.)
6-3 | 190 | QB | Senior | Committed to Nebraska
2025 highlights: Threw for 3,571 yards with 38 TD passes.
Outlook: Taylor joins a program seeking its third straight Class A championship. South faces tests against Missouri powers Lee's Summit North (Lee's Summit) and Cardinal Ritter College Prep (St. Louis) in September.

Nick Lennear, Carol City (Miami, Fla.) from Northwestern (Miami)
6-0 | 165 | WR | Senior | Committed to Miami
2025 highlights: Caught 20 passes for 381 yards and seven touchdowns.
Outlook: Provides an elite target for quarterback Malik Leonard as the Chiefs open at No. 11 in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25. An All-American last season, Lennear brings a championship pedigree after winning a title in 2024 at Northwestern.

Marcus Fakatou, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) from Orange Lutheran (Orange)
6-6 | 275 | DL | Senior | Committed to Ohio State
2025 highlights: Had 69 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and seven sacks for Orange Lutheran as a sophomore in 2025.
Outlook: After reclassifying and moving to Sierra Canyon, Fakatou should make a big impact for the No. 17 team in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25. He joins fellow senior four-stars Kasi Currie and Myles Baker as the backbone of the defense.

6-1 | 205 | QB | Junior | Committed to Texas
2025 highlights: Threw for 1,971 yards and 32 touchdowns last season.
Outlook: Steps in under center after the Patriots went 9-5 last season and won the Class 4A state title. Wake Forest commit Aiden Hartnett and Syracuse pledge Nico Ramos provide protection for Lawrence on the offensive line.

Elisha Mueller, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) from Servite (Anaheim)
6-4 | 300 | OL | Junior | Uncommitted
2025 highlights: Helped Servite's rushing attack gain nearly 2,000 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns.
Outlook: On the national recruiting radar since the eighth grade, Mueller stays in the Trinity League but adds heft to a Braves squad that starts at No. 1 the rankings.

Jamier Brown, Big Walnut (Sunbury, Ohio) from Wayne (Huber Heights)
6-0 | 165 | WR | Senior | Committed to Ohio State
2025 highlights: Caught 73 passes for 1,009 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Outlook: The five-star speedster will make a huge impact for the Golden Eagles after posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Also a dangerous return man.

6-4 | 230 | EDGE | Senior | Committed to Texas Tech
2025 highlights: Tallied 49 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 2025.
Outlook: The future Red Raider joins a loaded defense after a No. 2 finish in last year's MaxPreps Top 25.

Quentin Hale, Centennial (Corona, Calif.) from Cathedral (Los Angeles)
6-3 | 175 | WR | Senior | Committed to USC
2025 highlights: Caught 62 balls for 872 yards and 12 scores with the Phantoms.
Outlook: Hale gives the always high-powered Centennial offense another weapon.

Joshua Dobson, Hough (Cornelius, N.C.) from Catawba Ridge (Fort Mill, S.C.)
6-1 | 185 | CB | Senior | Committed to South Carolina
2025 highlights: Four tackles and passes defensed in eight games with two offensive touchdown catches.
Outlook: The No. 16 player overall according to 247Sports lands at Hough looking to help the Huskies to another Class 8A title after a 14-0 campaign in 2025.

Keegan Croucher, Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.) from Cheshire Academy (Cheshire, Conn.)
6-4 | 205 | QB | Class of 2027 | Committed to Ole Miss
2025 highlights: Threw for nearly 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns 
Outlook: Steps into a great spot with the reigning Division II Class AAA state champions with weapons like MaxPreps National Player of the Year David Gabriel Georges in the backfield.

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