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While head coach Carlos Woods and the Tornadoes graduated a massive, star-studded class to the Power 4/D-1 ranks, they are reloading for the 2026 fall season with an incredibly challenging schedule (including a trip to D.C. to play St. John's College). Here is the definitive breakdown of the major quarterback transfer and the high-level D-1 talent anchoring Sarasota Booker heading into the fall: The Major Transfer Impact * QB Mason Summer (Class of 2027): With Joel Morris graduating and moving on to Bethune-Cookman, Booker found their answer under center by pulling in a massive transfer from Bradenton Manatee. While his stat line last fall sat at nearly 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns, those numbers are deceptive as he missed a significant portion of the mid-season due to an injury. Furthermore, while the Hurricanes ultimately fell short in the regional finals, the loss had absolutely nothing to do with his performance. In fact, Summer showed elite poise under pressure, engineering a clutch, 60+ yard drive in the final minutes to put Manatee in point-blank position to clinch the victory, only for a missed last-second field goal to end the run. Coach Woods has already praised his physical and mental toughness (attributing some of it to his background as a lacrosse player) and noted that his moxie and ability to find windows have allowed him to blend in seamlessly with the offense this spring. Current High-Level D-1 Talent DL Maleek Lee (Class of 2027): If you want to know who college scouts are flocking to see at Booker practices right now, it’s Lee. He is a legitimate 4-star prospect who has established himself as the absolute alpha and defensive leader of this team. He’s already commanding heavy recruitment interest from elite national programs like Florida and Ohio State. ATH Jordan Booker (Class of 2027): A highly athletic, versatile piece in the secondary and weapon on the field. He’s a crucial returning element to their core puzzle and holds division-one offers and deep interest from programs like Wake Forest, Appalachian State, and Georgia State. LB Kymani Sellers (Class of 2027): Alongside Maleek Lee up front, Sellers is expected to be a massive cog in the Tornadoes' defensive box. He has great closing speed and is poised for a major breakout season now that the older class has moved on. The Outlook The consensus around the state right now is that Booker is technically "young" on paper compared to last year's veteran squad, which is why some early preview lists only noted a single senior star. However, the program has developed excellent rotational depth, and between the addition of Summer at QB and the elite star power of Maleek Lee anchoring the trenches, they have more than enough explosive D-1 talent to surprise people who think they are in a complete rebuilding phase.

Came here to say this. This school is on a mission to have that 4-8 season memory wiped. Watched the intra squad red and grey game (A1 didn't play) and things looked like they were jelling. With the addition of Jube and the new transfers Explorers are instant contenders for the 6A state title.  This is not to say I don't appreciate all the work LAZ has done here. But yeah, I see them taking back district 16 from Palmetto with little problem.

If the FHSAA makes a mistake or does something grossly incompetent or negligible, who is fined and how do the fees get paid? 

Just think. If some pencil neck punks in air conditioned offices didn’t suspend Teddy Bridgewater for not wanting a player to get hit by a car, or catch a heat stroke in the 100 degree summer heat walking to practice, there wouldn’t be a bill for it.    DeSantis should have fined the FHSAA for having to waste their time with the needless oversight and pass common sense into laws. Who polices the police??

Yeah sure, we have different opinions on this.  I have been wrong before and I will be wrong again in my lifetime.  My opinion is not based upon an obsolete philosophy but one of fair play.  Your opinion is based upon what is best for the kids.  What is best for the kids isn't necessarily what is best for the sport, which is where I am coming from.  What is best for the NFL players is unlimited free agency and unlimited contracts.  The NFL values parity and competitiveness as what will keep the league going for the next decades and will keep every fan involved hopeful every offseason.  There is clear evidence that the unlimited model hurts the sports leagues when you end up with just a few super teams rather than spread the talent around.   As far as the governor understanding this point "even if I do not", then why is he also pushing for limits on non-traditional students and will sign the bill that will limit them to within their own county?  Is this not worse for the kids?  It seems to me this is in the spirit of fair play and competitive balance, which is my vision.  Please explain how this leadership has vision that I do not.  There is a middle ground somewhere between what is best for the kids and what is best for the long term health of the sport.  Unlike you, I am willing to accept middle ground if it is there.