Best of the Best: IMG Academy Preseason Preview
Written by Ryan Wright
As RNG profiles high school football teams in our preseason previews, one of the best of the best in the nation is IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
The Ascenders are going through a coaching change after seeing 2014 head coach Chris Weinke leave the high school sidelines to become the quarterbacks coach for the St. Louis Rams. But the amount of talent donning helmets and shoulder pads for IMG is without a doubt one of the best in the nation enough to make former Carmel High School (Indiana) head coach Kevin Wright look really good going forward in Bradenton. Wright has some bragging rights of his own winning three state championships in five seasons with Carmel.
When the 2014 season concluded IMG Academy posted a 10-1 record with their lone loss coming to St. John’s (Washington D.C.) 35-2 in Week 2. The group signing letters of intent for the 2015 recruiting class saw 13 players move onto next level programs like Florida State, Miami, Arkansas, Ohio State, Cincinnati, Wisconsin, Oregon State, Murray State, Florida International, and Buffalo.
Entering the 2015 season IMG is preseason ranked No. 2 by USA Today, No. 9 by PrepNation, and No. 7 by MaxPreps Xcellent. The Ascenders have even more talent locked and loaded this year and are now able to compete for a Florida High School State Championship after switching from a prep school status no longer allowing reclassified seniors an extra year at the high school ranks. In all 18 players are expected to sign Division-I scholarships come National Signing Day with as many as eight more players potentially added to the list.
Offense
The Ascenders offensive potential is a tad bit ridiculous with 5-star talent Shea Patterson (Ole Miss) under center. Patterson spent the last two seasons winning Louisiana state championships with Calvary Baptist in Shreveport before transferring to IMG in July.
Helping keep the Patterson’s jersey clean is 4-star rated lineman Tyler Gerald. The 6’5”, 300 pound, talent is already committed to Ohio State and has offers from other top schools like Penn State, Virginia Tech, and Maryland.
When Henry drops back in the pocket there is plenty of top-end talent to target with 4-star tight end Isaac Nauta along with 3-star wide receivers Drake Davis and Kjetil Cline.
If a running play is called Notre Dame commit Tony Jones or Purdue commit Jack Wegher can carry the rock. Jones led the Ascenders with 771 rushing yards on just 66 carries in 2014 with 12 scores. Jones posted an eye popping 11.7 yards per carry average. Wegher was equally as successful as an all-purpose back picking up 646 yards on the ground off 71 carries racking up 13 touchdowns. The 5’11”, 200 pound, back also added 10 receptions for 137 yards in the passing game.
Defense
When the offense is on the sidelines getting a drink of water, chances are they will not be at rest long with a defense lined with three 5-star recruits and three 4-star players. How many coverage sacks can 5-star Saivion Smith (LSU), 3-star safety Spencer Perry (Notre Dame), and 4-star corner Khalil Ladler help 5-star defensive end Shavar Manuel and 4-star end Malik Barrow (Ohio State) get?
The linebacker corps is just as salty with 5-star Rahshaun Smith, 4-star Joel Dublanko, and 3-star Jango Glackin (Northwestern) ready to stop the run.
Let’s assume one drive during the season gets stopped somewhere shy of the goal line. Time to call in Florida State commit Ricky Aguayo to connect on a field goal.
Schedule
Aug. 22 American Heritage at IMG Academy
Aug. 30 Miramar at IMG Academy
Sept. 5 IMG Academy at DeSoto (De Soto, TX)
Sept. 11 Cocoa at IMG Academy
Sept. 19 IMG Academy at Bergen Catholic (Oradell, NJ)
Sept. 25 Bye
Oct. 2 St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, NJ) at IMG Academy
Oct. 9 Southern Lab (Baton Rouge, LA) at IMG Academy
Oct. 16 Bye
Oct. 23 Paramus Catholic (Paramus, NJ) at IMG Academy
Oct. 31 IMG Academy at Eastern Christian Academy (Elkton, MD)
Nov. 6 Triple A Academy (Dallas, TX) at IMGAcademy
Photo credit: Bradenton.com; No. 8 Saivion Smith.