3-Star Wide Receiver Transfers to Powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas

Austin Coles leaves Barrington (IL) to join the 17-time state champion Raiders in Florida

Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:07am

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Austin Coles, a 3-star wide receiver from Barrington, Illinois, has officially transferred to play for the powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders in Florida. Coles, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound junior, had numerous Power 5 offers and led Barrington with 53 catches for 851 yards and 7 touchdowns last season. He joins a Raiders team that finished 2025 as the No. 2 ranked high school team in Florida.

Why it matters

St. Thomas Aquinas has built a reputation as one of the top high school football programs in the country, winning 17 state championships. The addition of Coles, along with other high-profile transfers, further solidifies the Raiders' status as a national powerhouse that attracts top talent from across the country.

The details

Coles, who had offers from schools like Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Illinois, Iowa, Miami, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M, said he'll miss his Barrington teammates and coaches but is excited for the "new challenge" at St. Thomas Aquinas. The Raiders have seen an influx of transfers recently, including quarterbacks James Perrone (2027, USF commit) and Nate Merrell Jr. (2028).

  • Coles transferred from Barrington (IL) to St. Thomas Aquinas in January 2026.
  • In the 2025 season, Coles led Barrington with 53 catches for 851 yards and 7 touchdowns.

The players

Austin Coles

A 3-star wide receiver who transferred from Barrington (IL) to play for the powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders in Florida.

St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders

A high school football program in Florida that has won 17 state championships and is considered one of the top programs in the country.

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What they’re saying

“Everything is all squared away and I've transferred from Barrington to St. Thomas Aquinas. I'll definitely miss my teammates and coaches at Barrington along with my friends, but I'm also excited for the new challenge at a new school.”

— Austin Coles, Wide Receiver (EdgyTim)

What’s next

Coles will look to make an immediate impact for the Raiders as they aim to capture another state championship in 2026.

The takeaway

The transfer of a highly-touted 3-star wide receiver like Austin Coles to powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas highlights the program's ability to attract top talent from across the country, cementing its status as one of the premier high school football destinations in the nation.