Football Program Structure
IMG Academy football places an emphasis on overall player growth and development while also providing significant opportunities for collegiate exposure throughout the year. Each student-athlete has a support system around them inclusive of a head coach, position coach, strength and conditioning coach, athletic trainers, teachers, college advisors, and more to aid in the developmental process that includes:
- An individual football skill developmental plan
- A team periodization plan
- An individual position periodization plan
- An athletic and Academy personal development plan
Student-athletes will measure their development and success through Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) such as position-specific statistics, game day evaluations, practice tapes, strength & conditioning goals, and academic progress. IMG football is structured like a collegiate program so that student-athletes understand the requirements both on and off the field and are prepared for the schedule at the next level.
IMG football student-athletes not only train within a schedule that mirrors that of a collegiate program, but they are also expected to maintain similar expectations, such as respect, academic success, responsibility and ownership, mental and physical toughness, and complete personal and athletic development.
With four teams competing across various levels, IMG Academy football will identify which program is the best fit for prospective student-athletes grades 8-12 as well as for post-graduate players based on their age, skill level, position, and overall goals. IMG Academy is a full member of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), and the National Team competes as an independent. IMG follows the practice requirements and standards issued by the FHSAA.
National Team
IMG Academy’s National Team takes on an incredibly competitive schedule against some of the nation’s most elite programs. Players will arrive in July to begin their pre-season training camp, compete in 10+ games in the Fall, train and develop during the Winter off-season, and continue to train in the Spring before the Spring Practice Game. This team is comprised of some of the nation’s top collegiate recruits as well as those with aspirations to compete in the NFL.
Varsity Team
This team competes against 10+ teams consisting of regional competition in a Class 3A Florida schedule while continuing to focus on player development and progression. Student-athletes will have an opportunity to train with IMG’s expert, sport-specific coaching staff and will have a similar training schedule to the National team. Varsity student-athletes have an opportunity to develop alongside other players of similar skill levels while working towards achieving their peak potential.
Post-graduate Team
Post-graduate student-athletes will compete in a dedicated PG schedule against a minimum of 6 teams during the Fall of 2020. This team will practice with the National Team year-round while also having unrivaled exposure to visiting collegiate programs. Post-graduate student-athletes will not jeopardize their eligibility by enrolling in the program, and they will have the opportunity to develop both on the field and personally prior to committing to the college of their choice.
Program Highlights and Sample Schedule
Throughout the year, more than 400 different coaches from over 200 NCAA Division I programs, including U.S. military service academies and the Ivy League, visit campus to recruit student-athletes. With the growth of IMG Academy’s program, so too has the level of collegiate exposure each player receives. Since the addition of varsity football, more than two-thirds of graduates have gone on to join NCAA Division I FBS programs.
Late-Summer
- Beginning in July, student-athletes will check in for the fall semester and prepare for pre-season camp (practices, strength and conditioning, position training, and player evaluations).
- Workouts with strength and conditioning component emphasis
- Post-practice orientations and meetings
Fall
- Football competition begins - 10+ game season against top competition in the country
- Notable competition has included: Chandler (AZ), Hoover High School, Miami Central, Corona High School, and East High School (UT)
- Fall Semester begins (classes in the morning, football in the afternoon)
- Introduction to college advisement department and assigned a dedicated advisor
- To further aid students seeking to continue their playing careers into college, each student has access to a dedicated College Advisor. An advisor’s role is to help every student navigate the requirements of the NCAA Eligibility Center and find the best athletic and academic fit at the next level.
Winter
- Off-season workouts with Performance coaching staff
- Focus on school work, SAT/ACT prep (if applicable), and college preparation with assistance from college advisement department
- Sophomores and juniors have the option to attend college tours to various universities
Spring
- Spring football practice with staff
- Focus on classwork and finishing the year strong
- Juniors work with college advisors to prepare for senior year, including understanding NCAA eligibility requirements, admissions processes, and test scores
Athletic & Personal Development
APD plays an integral role in the overall development of each football student-athlete. APD instructors focus on crucial areas such as mental toughness, strength & conditioning, nutrition, leadership, life skills and character development, and more to ensure that IMG Academy football student-athletes not only have an advantage over the competition but understand what it takes to succeed in college, in the NFL, and in life.
Learn More about APD
Academics
Grades 6-12
IMG Academy’s collegiate-style schedule provides the ultimate preparation for student-athletes to succeed at the next level. Football student-athletes have the ability to select their courses and electives to identify their areas of interest ahead of enrolling into the collegiate program that best aligns with their academic and athletic goals.
View Grades 6-12 CurriculumPost-Graduate
Post-graduate football student-athletes will benefit from a gap year at IMG with available standardized test prep, college course credit opportunities, college placement and recruitment advisement, and more. Football post-graduates experience immense benefits by ensuring they’re prepared for their next steps as collegiate-student-athletes. Post-graduates will not jeopardize their NCAA eligibility by enrolling in this program.
Learn More about Post-GraduateTechnology & Facilities
- State-of-the-art stadium with seating for 5,000
- Two dedicated football practice fields (both grass and turf) along with 20+ multi-sport fields
- Field House with professional locker rooms, football coaches' offices, team meeting rooms for game and practice review and film analysis
- Covered turf facility for speed and agility training with coaches focused on football players
Performance and Sports Science Center
- Mind Gym for mental conditioning sessions and vision training
- Yoga studio
- Strength and conditioning equipment
- Classrooms for nutrition and leadership training
- Athletic training facility for recovery and regeneration, including hot and cold tubs
Modern Recovery for All
As the official recovery sponsor of IMG Academy football, TimTam maximizes performance by bringing modern recovery techniques to student-athletes. Developed by industry-leading doctors, physios, and coaches, TimTam’s techniques help players train harder and recover faster.
Football Academy Photo Gallery
Meet the New Coach: Bobby Acosta
Coach Bobby Acosta’s up-tempo spread philosophies and acumen for developing quarterbacks and wide receivers has evolved over two decades of success at the collegiate and high school levels. Prior 2019, his recent coaching stops have included Bucknell University (2017-18), Cornell (2016) and Syracuse University (2014-15).
Coach Spotlight
Bobby Acosta - Head Coach
Acosta becomes the third head coach of the National Varsity team. He comes to IMG Academy from The College of St. Scholastica (Minn.), where he helped guide the Saints to a 7-3 record in 2019 as the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach.
Football Coaches & Staff
Notable Football Program College Commitments
Student-athletes receive individualized roadmaps for reaching their goal of playing their sport at the collegiate level. This work begins when a student enters upper school at grade 9 and above.
Testimonials
- KJ Osborn IMG Academy Alumnus
- Nick Saban Alabama Football Head CoachI think they have good coaches, and they do a great job with player development.
- John Crist Football Writer[College football] championships are built on recruiting, and no high school program in America has more stars than IMG Academy. Almost overnight, it has become the most important recruiting ground in the country. - Member of the Football Writers Association of America
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