Godz40acres
Happy Feller
To date, Texas has offered three players from the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL, 5-star QB Malik Henry, 5-star DB Saivion Smith and 4-star DB Khalil Ladler. So, what is IMG Academy?
Nick Williams, sports reporter for The Tampa Tribune, answered some questions about IMG, a high school program that does not compete for district or state titles in Florida.
Q: Can you explain to our readers what IMG is and what makes it different than the average high school?
A: IMG is a sports academy that develops some of the world's young sports prodigies, especially tennis and golf. Young athletes from around the world have enrolled at the academy. The academy recently started its football program, which plays a national schedule. Given its financial resources, the team is able to travel the nation.
Q: Why do parents send their kids to IMG?
A: Parents send their children to IMG to get the best training possible to prepare them for the college level or pro careers. Pro athletes frequent the facility to do their strength and conditioning training there. IMG facilities rival that of most NFL teams. And with the best trainers on site, along with top of the line weight rooms and living in a college-like environment with dormitories, it gives athletes an advantage.
Q: When you talk to high school coaches in Florida, what is the general opinion about IMG?
A: They believe the academy is targeting certain football players. Some think it's become a farm system for Miami and FSU because most of the players there are committed to those schools. Others think IMG is offering a grand opportunity for kids. Although IMG is independent, it still is an FHSAA member and must abide by its rules.
Nick Williams, sports reporter for The Tampa Tribune, answered some questions about IMG, a high school program that does not compete for district or state titles in Florida.
Q: Can you explain to our readers what IMG is and what makes it different than the average high school?
A: IMG is a sports academy that develops some of the world's young sports prodigies, especially tennis and golf. Young athletes from around the world have enrolled at the academy. The academy recently started its football program, which plays a national schedule. Given its financial resources, the team is able to travel the nation.
Q: Why do parents send their kids to IMG?
A: Parents send their children to IMG to get the best training possible to prepare them for the college level or pro careers. Pro athletes frequent the facility to do their strength and conditioning training there. IMG facilities rival that of most NFL teams. And with the best trainers on site, along with top of the line weight rooms and living in a college-like environment with dormitories, it gives athletes an advantage.
Q: When you talk to high school coaches in Florida, what is the general opinion about IMG?
A: They believe the academy is targeting certain football players. Some think it's become a farm system for Miami and FSU because most of the players there are committed to those schools. Others think IMG is offering a grand opportunity for kids. Although IMG is independent, it still is an FHSAA member and must abide by its rules.
