As schools begin to release their schedules for the 2026 Arizona high school football season, some teams are heading into next season with new faces on the roster.
Arizona Varsity caught up with some of the top prospects in Arizona who transferred to a new school following the first stop of the 2026 Under Armour Next Football Camp Series at Chandler High School.
Here’s what four prospects had to say about their decision to transfer to a new school and some of the things they are looking forward to about being a part of their new team.
2027 Cave Creek Cactus Shadows Linebacker Gunnar Perry
Question: What went into your decision to transfer to Cactus Shadows?
Answer: “I just thought it was best for my family and me. It was a better opportunity, and I just felt like it was the right spot going into my senior year.
“It’s way closer to my house, not like a 30-minute drive every day. It’s like right in my backyard.”
Question: What’s your relationship like with head coach Chris Dixon?
Answer: “He moved from Montana during my seventh-grade year. He kind of was around for the youth ball stuff, and he had a relationship with my brother (Cooper Perry), and he’s a player’s coach, so he’s a good guy to have on your side.”
Notes on Perry: It wasn’t long after the conclusion of the 2025 season that Arizona Varsity reported the former Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep linebacker would make the move to Cactus Shadows to play his senior season. Perry joins the Falcons after being named a 5A All-Conference linebacker in 2025, finishing the year with the seventh most tackles in 5A (119). Perry also ran for over 500 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Saints last season. Just 26 days after his older brother, Cooper Perry, committed to transfer to Cal, Gunnar announced his commitment to the Bears on Feb. 6. Perry is the No. 73 overall linebacker prospect nationally and the No. 23 prospect in Arizona, according to the Rivals Industry rankings.
2028 Mesa Red Mountain Quarterback Dayne Silver
Question: What went into your decision to transfer to Red Mountain?
Answer: “Well, I mean, I was looking at the receivers, and we got a couple returning guys, and I wanted to really make sure I had some good targets over there… I’m confident in what Coach Enders has done, you know, he’s established a program. It’s better to walk into a more established program and not have to build something from the ground up, you know what I mean? And just a turnover, what happened with (Jason Lyons), is very unfortunate, but you know, I had to do what was best for me.”
Question: What excites you the most about working with head coach Kyle Enders?
Answer: “I think what excites me most about working with Coach Enders has to be his energy. He’s a very energetic, defensive guy, so I’m excited for sure.”
Notes on Silver: Playing in two games his freshman season due to a broken collarbone, Silver bounced back in 2025. Throwing for the seventh most passing yards in 4A last season (2,292), Silver helped Eastmark clinch a 4A playoff spot and a 42-14 first round win over No. 18 Desert Sunrise. However, the No. 15 Firebirds failed to advance further than the second round, losing to No. 2 Snowflake, 35-0. Silver has reported a lone Division I offer from Northern Arizona.
2028 Chandler Basha Wide Receiver Makai Nelson
Question: What went into your decision to transfer to Basha?
Answer: “It was football, but it wasn’t football. It was too hard on my family trying to make it to Mountain Pointe. I’m still 15, so I can’t drive yet. I was paying Uber to go there. It was just unfortunate. Just couldn’t go there anymore. Couldn’t make it happen.”
Question: What excites you about the people at Basha?
Answer: “Well, I don’t really know too much about coaches. I just met them on my first day at school, but I knew some of the players before. Just always knew they were dogs. So, just getting to work, seeing what it’s really like to be a Division I athlete, working next to those guys who lead by example and show me what to do. So it’s definitely good.”
Notes on Nelson: Entering his junior season and his third school, Nelson has yet to play a down of varsity football. However, that hasn’t stopped college coaches from showing interest in the promising 2028 wide receiver. Nelson has reported Division I offers from Arizona, Colorado State, and Memphis. After sitting the entirety of Mountain Pointe’s 2025 season, Nelson will likely be eligible for Basha’s week one matchup against Chandler on Aug. 27.
2029 Chandler Offensive Lineman Michael Rivera
Question: What went into your decision to transfer to Chandler?
Answer: “It was a big family decision. You know? I feel like over here, they really treat me right. I feel like they incorporated me as soon as I got here. I feel like I’m at home. It’s a great fit… every day is a competition we’re lifting on the field. It’s all competition. It’s all getting better as a team. I like it.”
Question: How do you feel head coach Ty Wisdom can best help your development?
Answer: “Just stand on me, you know, not letting me get lazy. I feel like, when I’m by myself, I tend not to work, but he’s on me right now. So I’m working. Working really hard.”
Notes on Rivera: Rivera played his freshman season at McClintock and has reported a lone Division I offer from Sacramento State.
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