2027 4-star RB Tranard Roberts leaving IMG for The Villages (Fla.)

Just hours before high school football practices can officially get underway in Florida, another major transfer was announced on social media Sunday evening.

According to a Instagram post in collaboration with 2027 4-star running back Tranard Roberts, the star tailback announced he would be transferring from IMG Academy to The Villages (Fla.) Charter School.

Roberts’ transfer is the latest when it comes to some of the top high school prospects in the Sunshine State changing up teams ahead of the first fall practice on July 28 (Monday).

Recently, 2026 LSU commit Trenton Henderson confirmed with Rivals he was leaving Pensacola Catholic to play at Pine Forest (Fla.) and not long after, 2026 Florida State pledge Da’Ron Parks left Cardinal Mooney for Nitro (W.V.).

Playing for the Ascenders’ national team in 2024, Roberts carried the rock 42 times for 300 yards and found the endzone four times. IMG Academy finished last season with a 7-2 record.

In Roberts’ freshman season for the Williston Red Devils in 2023, the running back carried the ball 33 times for 409 yards and scored seven touchdowns. It wasn’t until the summer of 2024 that Roberts would then announce that he was leaving Williston and transferring to play at IMG Academy.

Roberts has a bevy of Power 4 offers currently on the table, with Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas and Washington all being in the mix for his services.

Also transferring with Roberts, according to the social media post, are Jordan and Jy’quez Cason. Both starred for the Bradford Tornadoes last season, with Jy’Quez contributing 621 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns.

The Villages are led by veteran head coach Richard Pettus, who was just recently inducted into the FACA Hall of Fame. The Buffaloes in 2024 finished 5-5 and qualified for the Class 2A playoffs, falling to Bradford, 35-0.

“I am incredibly honored to be selected into the FACA Hall of Fame,” Pettus said via an article on The Villages’ athletic department website.

“First and foremost, this honor comes because of my family and their love and support. It’s also for both my former and current assistant coaches who’ve been with me all these years, but also all of the current and former players — they make something as special as this honor become what it is. I also want to thank our school administration and the Morse family for their support here in The Villages. And finally, I want to thank all of my former coaches who have played a role and guided me to where I’m at in my life … and of course, my father, Earl, the biggest inspiration in my life.”