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2028 wide receiver Tyree Manning Jr. transfers to Venice (Fla.)

IMG_8358by: Andy Villamarzo07/22/25Andy_Villamarzo
Syndication: Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Booker High’s Tyree Manning, Jr. (#12) looks for an opening in the Nature Coast defensive line. The Booker Tornadoes hosted Nature Coast Tech in the Class 3A-Region 3 regional semifinal game Friday night in Sarasota.

A top wide receiver on Florida’s South Suncoast has decided to switch schools up just under a week before high school football practices officially start.

Sarasota Booker head football coach Carlos Woods confirmed to Rivals Tuesday morning that star 2028 wide receiver Tyree Manning Jr. has transferred to 4-time state champion Venice (Fla.).

The Indians are ranked No. 78 nationally via the Massey Ratings and No. 5 in Florida heading into the 2025 season.

Manning Jr. is one of the top 2028 wide receivers in the state of Florida, coming off a strong 2024 freshman season with the Tornadoes. Last season with Booker, who reached the FHSAA’s Class 3A state semifinals, Manning hauled in 35 passes for 838 yards and seven touchdowns, good for second on the team in receiving.

The 2028 product is getting attention from some of the top college football programs around the country, as Manning already has offers from Auburn, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, LSU, Miami (FL), Missouri, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Toledo.

The Indians are coming off a 14-1 season, winning the Class 7A state championship, the fourth state crown in program history.

Head coach John Peacock and his staff bring back a bevy of talent from last year’s team, including Miami (FL) commit Asharri Charles, running back Dorien ‘Macho’ Jones and promising 6-foot-6 tight end prospect Colton Lynch, who caught three touchdowns back in the back. Venice faced Naples back in the spring, edging out the Golden Eagles in a 34-27 thriller.

There was plenty of graduations, though, that somewhat hit the Indians hard after 2024, with Winston Watkins, Jayce Nixon, Jamarice ‘Gata’ Wilder among others that ended up moving onto the college level. With Manning joining the Indians, he would look to become the team’s No. 1 target in the passing game heading into the 2025 season.

Venice plays arguably one of the toughest schedules in the state, with teams like Clearwater Central Catholic, IMG Academy, Miami Northwestern, The First Academy and Tampa Bay Tech all dotted along the fall slate. The Indians open the season on the road when they face the Titans in Tampa on Aug. 22.