HomeSportsInside IMG Academy — the high school football factory that teams love...

Inside IMG Academy — the high school football factory that teams love to hate

In the moments following a dominating victory by IMG Academy, the team’s players are often surrounded by fans. Kids ask for souvenirs like gloves and sweat-stained towels, while their teenage peers request selfies for Snapchat. Spectators who come to watch IMG know they’re witnessing future college football stars in action. Head coach Billy Miller describes the players as “rock stars.” However, IMG is not your typical high school football powerhouse. The school’s extensive 600-acre campus in Bradenton, Florida boasts a 5,000-seat stadium, a state-of-the-art sports science center, and a luxury hotel for visitors. Health services and physical therapy are managed by a Johns Hopkins University hospital affiliate. Since its inception in 2010, IMG’s football program has achieved incredible success, with a record of 92-7, including a 38-game winning streak and a national title in 2020. The program has produced 14 alumni who currently play in the NFL, the most of any high school in the country. Despite the team’s dominance, some critics question IMG’s recruiting practices and whether the program is too good for high school football. While some coaches accuse IMG of recruiting players away from their programs, others view IMG as the gold standard. IMG Academy’s football program started in a modest single-wide trailer surrounded by tomato fields. It has since expanded to include specific football practice fields and a dedicated performance center. The program now has 155 players across four teams, including a national squad, two varsity teams, and a post-graduate team. Former players have attested to the rigorous schedule and strict lifestyle at IMG, which prepares them for success at the collegiate level and beyond. Despite the challenges, both players and coaches agree that IMG’s resources and infrastructure provide unparalleled opportunities for growth and development.