Sometimes, it just doesn’t work out.

People move on. Parents  find work elsewhere. Players want to try something different. And  coaches are left to constantly update their team rosters.

With the  2026 Washington high school football season set to kick off with games  in six weeks, here are seven notable offseason transfers that could have  a positive impact for players — and their new programs — this fall:

BRAYDON COOK, Olympia (4A) to Camas (4A)

Last season: Was the 4A SPSL’s regular-season sacks leader (11 in nine games) for a team that reached the round-of-32 playoffs.

This season:  All the projected Class 4A favorites (Lake Stevens, Puyallup,  Graham-Kapowsin, two-time defending state champion Sumner) can bring  pressure on the quarterback from the defensive line. The addition of  Cook solidifies that part of the Papermakers’ defense as well, stoking  comparisons to WSU-bound Luke Webb, who was pivotal in the team’s state  runner-up finish in 2024.

Scale (1-to-5) of significance: 4

MARKEYCES ‘MJ’ WADLEY, Yelm (4A) to Graham-Kapowsin (4A)

Last season:  Was among the leaders in the 4A SPSL in tackles for loss (eight) and  sacks (three) during the regular season for a Tornados team that won  just three games.

This season:  Eagles already have 4A SPSL South defensive lineman of the year Julius  Hernandez-Avila back at one end. And now they add Wadley, who has  next-level pass-rushing talent. And if his motor revs as high as it has  during a stock-rising offseason for college, the reigning state  semifinalists could have one of the best quarterback-hunting duos in the  state.

Scale (1-to-5) of significance: 3

DESMOND PARKINSON, West Seattle (3A) to Kennedy Catholic (4A)

Last season: Passed for 2,175 yards and 23 touchdowns, and was named 3A Metro League Sound Division (second division) offensive MVP.

This season:  Longtime Wing-T guru Pat Jones has become smitten with the Air Raid  attack, too, and has morphed the two looks into a hybrid offense at  Kennedy Catholic. Needless to say, the Lancers will certainly welcome  the dual-threat Parkinson into the fold for his senior season. He isn’t  big, but he moves well — and has one of the quickest releases on passes  in the greater Seattle area.

Scale (1-to-5) of significance: 4

MAURICE ‘MO’ WILLIAMS, Graham-Kapowsin (4A) to Timberline (3A)

Last season:  Was a 4A SPSL South first-team defensive back despite being in and out  of the lineup (missed first four games by WIAA transfer rule, had  late-season injuries).

This season: The state’s consensus top cornerback who is headed to the UW is hoping a move to his hometown school will unleash some serious numbers as a senior. On defense, he will play more free safety. And on a  Blazers offense that returns nine starters, he is expected to see more  passes come his way, hopefully unlocking his first 1,000-yard receiving  season.

Scale (1-to-5) of significance: 4

KAYDON TATUM, Brophy Prep (AZ) to O’Dea (3A)

Last season:  Played on Arizona playoff contender’s freshman team a year ago, sitting  behind a couple of sons of former NFL stars — Devin Fitzgerald (Larry)  and Donovan McNabb Jr. (Donovan).

This season:  If longtime Irish coach Monte Kohler has ever reconsidered opening up  his offense more, this dynamic transplant might give him a reason. Tatum  is tall at 6-foot-5. He has an 80-inch wing span and a 40-inch vertical  jump. And the NCAA D1 sophomore prospect could be a big-play alpha for  Allias Moimoi, who can sling it. Tatum’s arrival could help offset the  loss of Siosaia Malietufa, now at Puyallup.

Scale (1-to-5) of significance: 2

CORDAE NORLING, Cascade Christian (1A) to Federal Way (3A)

Last season:  Finished 17th in the state in regular-season passing yards (1,963) in  six games at Cascade Christian, and was No. 2 in passing yards per game  (327.2) behind Moses Lake’s Brady Jay (350.6).

This season:  The Eagles have benefited most from a massive exodus from Cascade  Christian with a handful of transfers. But the final one — Norling —  might be the most important newcomer of all. In 2025, Federal Way made  the postseason despite a glaring hole at quarterback because of  injuries. Norling’s passing acumen could be a major boost for one of the  most talent-laden rosters in 3A.

Scale (1-to-5) of significance: 4

KORBYN HOPWOOD, Kamiakin (4A) to Prosser (2A)

Last season:  Rushed for nearly 600 yards as a running back, and was named all-4A/3A  Mid-Columbia Conference second-team linebacker for a Braves team that  reached the first round of the 4A playoffs.

This season:  Hopwood is a Prosser kid. His parents graduated from the high school.  He played youth football in town. And after his stint at Kamiakin, he  decided to play his senior season for the back-on-the-upswing Mustangs.  Hopwood’s addition arguably gives the team the most bruising running  back among classification contenders, and he should also be an all-state  candidate at middle linebacker.

Scale (1-to-5) of significance: 5

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by content-sharing partner VarsityWA, founded by journalist Todd Milles. Milles brings more that 30 years of sportswriting experience at The News Tribune in Tacoma and SBLive Washington). Support that venture at VarsityWA.