The California CIF Southern Section had several key players move schools this offseason, and many of those transfers will make an impact right away this fall.
Over the past several years, players transferring schools has become as much a part of high school football as the lights shining down on the field on Friday nights.
This offseason was no exception with a litany of players set to put on new uniforms this fall. Several teams added players who will be key contributors in league championship races and many teams lost players who played meaningful snaps last season.
Ranking The Top California Southern Section Transfers
Here is a look at ten of the most impactful transfers in the CIF Southern Section heading into the season.
1. WR Quentin Hale
Old School: Cathedral (Los Angeles)
New School: Centennial (Corona)
Note: USC commit
Quentin Hale caught 62 passes for 872 yards with 12 touchdowns last season for Cathedral. He was named a MVP at The Opening camp in Los Angeles this February and was a top performer at the Trillion Boys showcase in December. Hale is one of the best route runners in the class with his ability to change speeds during the route. He has high-level body control near the sidelines and can dominate 50/50 balls with his size.
2. DL Marcus Fakatou
Old School: Orange Lutheran
New School: Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth)
Note: Ohio State commit
Marcus Fakatou had 69 tackles, 17 for a loss, seven sacks, two forced fumbles and eight blocked field goals for Orange Lutheran this season. He reclassified to the 2027 class and can play off the edge or slide inside to be an interior defensive lineman. Fakatou knows how to use his length to get extension on the offensive lineman as a pass rusher and has the strength to put his opponents on skates. He also has the strength to eat up double teams in the run game and get into the backfield. Fakatou joins a loaded Sierra Canyon front seven and will make it even harder for teams to score against the Trailblazers.
3. DB Duvay Williams
Old School: Serra (Gardena)
New School: Sierra Canyon
Note: Cal commit
Duvay Williams had 25 tackles, three interceptions and a fumble recovery for Serra last season and spent the offseason at Inglewood before transferring to Sierra Canyon in July. He is a lock down corner who can stay in the hip pocket of receivers throughout the route and transitions smoothly out of his backpedal. Williams has good ball skills and can close open windows quickly with his length and closing speed. Sierra Canyon’s secondary also features UCLA commit Myles Baker, Mater Dei transfer Mykel Ramos and returner Faruq Muhammad.
4. OL Elisha Mueller
Old School: Servite (Anaheim)
New School: St. John Bosco (Bellflower)
Note: Offers from Alabama, LSU, Ohio State among others
Elisha Mueller is a junior who earned All-Trinity League honors in his first two seasons as a starter at Servite. The offensive line was the biggest question mark for St. John Bosco this offseason and Mueller instantly improves the unit. He is one of the more dominant run blocking tackles in the state and moves very well for someone his size. Mueller has been a national recruit since he was a freshman. It has led to offers from most of the top Power 4 schools.
5. RB AJ McBean
Old School: Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach)
New School: Serra (Gardena)
Note: Stanford commit
AJ McBean ran for 685 yards with eight touchdowns and had a touchdown reception for Mira Costa last season and started there since his freshman year. He is one of the more muscular running backs in the area who runs downhill and has the speed to get around the edge quickly. McBean had a great showing at The Opening camp in February and showed quick cutting ability and was dominant in the one-on-one period.
6. QB Jaden Jefferson
Old School: Cathedral (Los Angeles)
New School: Centennial (Corona)
Note: Hawaii commit
Jaden Jefferson threw for 3,348 yards with 37 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions for Cathedral last season. He also ran for 640 yards with 13 touchdowns. Jefferson has been a mainstay on the camp circuit throughout his career and earned MVP honors at the Under Armour Next camp after his sophomore season. He is accurate to all three levels of the field and throws a great deep ball. Jefferson looked comfortable in Centennial’s offense at the Battle at the Beach and South County Classic passing tournaments in July.
7. QB Russell Sekona
Old School: Leuzinger
New School: Mater Dei
Note: Offers from Michigan, UCLA and Utah among others
Russell Sekona completed 63 percent of his passes for 188 yards per game with 22 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions as a sophomore for Leuzinger last season. He is physically one of the more impressive quarterbacks in the area and has the arm strength you would expect at his size. Sekona has serious heat on the out-breaking throws and can stretch defenses out over the top. He may be splitting playing time at Mater Dei with Chaminade transfer Cameron Pooley. Both guys should be impactful this season.
8. ATH Demare Dezeurn
Old School: Palisades
New School: Westlake
Note: Cal commit
Demare Dezeurn caught 64 passes for 1,372 yards with 21 touchdowns for a Palisades team that reached the City Section Open Division playoffs. He also had five interceptions and a forced fumble on defense. Dezeurn was committed to Oklahoma early but flipped to Cal in June. He is one of the fastest players in the state and ran a 10.32 in the 100 meters this spring. Dezeurn is a playmaker after the catch and has improved his route running each year. He will be a huge asset for sophomore quarterback Ford Green alongside other top receiver and fellow Cal commit, Charles Davis.
9. QB Matthew Smith
Old School: Villa Park
New School: Santa Margarita
Note: Vanderbilt commit
Smith completed 69 percent of his passes for 168 yards per game with 7 touchdowns in just six games for Villa Park last season after transferring from Loyola. His release is quick, smooth and the ball jumps out of his hand. He showed really good accuracy at the South County Classic passing tournament recently. He also earned MVP honors at the Under Armour Next camp in Maui. Smith will benefit from playing behind Santa Margarita’s offensive line, which returns multiple All-Trinity League players and some good returning receivers.
10. QB Deshawn Laporte
Old School: Burbank
New School: Quartz Hill (Lancaster)
Note: Delaware State commit
Deshawn Laporte was fourth in the state last season with 3,900 yards with 54 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions for Burbank. He’s one of the smaller top quarterbacks in the area but is a great improvisor who can throw down the field off-platform. Laporte has a good group of returning receivers at Quartz Hill. The senior could be the missing piece that helps the Royals win the Golden League championship.
