Benilde-St. Margaret’s Dajohn Yarborough, the most highly recruited offensive lineman in Minnesota, is transferring to a high school football power in Arizona.

Yarborough, 6-5 and 330 pounds, told the Star Tribune he will play for Basha in Chandler, Ariz., this season.

Seeking the best competition to prepare him for college, Yarborough said he found a program that was near family but that it was a tough decision to leave his home state.

“Want to thank all the teachers and coaches at BSM for supporting me the last two years throughout my football career there,” Yarborough said. “I was always loved by everyone there. Definitely will miss it.”

Other top Minnesota prospects are known to have transferred to schools outside the state. Holy Angels offensive tackle Dalton DeBoer will play for Northwest in Waukee, Iowa, and Stillwater quarterback Nick Kinsey will play for Archbishop Hoban in Ohio. DeBoer is committed to Wake Forest and Kinsey to Eastern Michigan.

Yarborough’s recruitment has soared to a different level, though.

After emerging on the Twin Cities high school football scene last year, Yarborough picked up his first power conference scholarship offers, from Kansas State and Iowa State, in January. The Gophers, Wisconsin and Alabama followed with offers in the spring.

Brad Anderson, who took over at Benilde-St. Margaret’s last season after a successful stint at Wayzata, watched Yarborough blossom from a physical talent to a quiet leader in his program.

Two years ago, Yarborough missed some of his freshman season because of injury but still helped Benilde-St. Margaret’s make its first state tournament appearance since 2016.

“He’s a very enjoyable young man to be around,” Anderson said. “His teammates really like him. … He’s put in a lot of work in the weight room and made himself into a very good prospect. He’s been recognized by some of the top schools in the country and gotten offers. At this point, it’s about getting himself ready for what will be the next step in his life for college. That was something he was thinking a lot about.”

Yarborough practiced with Benilde-St. Margaret’s this summer and initially planned to return, but that decision changed by late July, according to Anderson.

“I know he enjoyed being a part of the program and was looking forward to the season,” Anderson said. “So I think for him he was balancing giving all that up to go down to Arizona to possibly play against better competition.”

Yarborough received offers from North Carolina and Washington this month. He scheduled visits to Alabama, Wisconsin, Arizona State and Kansas State among the schools that made offers to him, per 247Sports.

Does he still have interest in the hometown Gophers and coach P.J. Fleck?

“Yes,” Yarborough said. “I will definitely be back for a game. No confirmed date at the moment.”

In the 2027 class, Yarborough was ranked as the No. 2 player overall in Minnesota by Prep Redzone behind Wayzata defensive lineman Eli Diane, who has committed to the Gophers.

Now the highest-rated uncommitted junior prospect in the state is likely Shakopee’s Blake Betton, who announced an offer from Michigan on Monday.

Three players from Moorhead, quarterback Jett Feeney, wide receiver David Mack and athlete Taye Reich, are also names to know in the class of 2027.

Yarborough’s departure leaves a big spot at Benilde-St. Margaret’s.

“You don’t replace guys like that,” Anderson said. “You might fill their spot, but you’re not going to find someone who plays at that level. But, with that being said, other kids will get a chance to show what they can do. We’re still very excited for the season.”