IMG Academy Expands Post-Graduate Pathways to Help Student-Athletes Navigate the Evolving College Sports Landscape

BRADENTON, Fla. (March 10, 2026) – IMG Academy, the world's leading sports education brand, recognizes that college athletics is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by roster management changes, transfer portal activity, and evolving Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. In this shifting landscape, student-athletes and their families are seeking structured pathways that provide additional development, competitive consistency and greater clarity in the recruiting process.

To meet this evolving need, IMG Academy is expanding its Post-Graduate (PG) model with the return of PG Football and addition of Boys Lacrosse beginning Fall 2026. By offering these programs. IMG Academy is creating opportunities for more student-athletes than ever to extend their development, gain exposure, and prepare for the next level of competition. This expansion reinforces IMG Academy’s mission to help student-athletes win their future, on the field, in the classroom, and beyond.

The expansion builds on IMG Academy’s successful PG programs in baseball, basketball, and its former football program. During its two-season run, the PG Football team went 18–2, won the 2022 and 2023 National Championships, and placed over 40 student-athletes at colleges to continue their careers. This track record reflects IMG Academy’s holistic, student-athlete-centered approach, where an additional year of intentional development, supported by the right programs, coaches, and resources, can meaningfully impact collegiate success and retention.

IMG Academy’s Post-Graduate model has also propelled student-athletes to the highest levels of competition. NBA guard Anfernee Simons, a former IMG Academy PG student-athlete, used his PG year to accelerate his development, refine his skills, and prepare for the professional level. Stories like Simons’ illustrate how a PG year serves as a strategic bridge between high school potential and elite competition readiness, underscoring IMG Academy’s impact in preparing student-athletes for the next level.

Across its postgraduate programs, IMG Academy has helped hundreds of student-athletes secure collegiate opportunities, enhance recruiting visibility, and mature academically and personally, demonstrating that an additional year of intentional development can be a transformative step toward long-term success.

“The college athletics landscape has changed significantly over the past several years,” said Brian Nash, VP of Athletics at IMG Academy. “Student-athletes and families are navigating more complexity than ever before, from recruiting timelines to roster management realities. Our Post-Graduate programs provide a structured environment where student-athletes can continue developing physically, mentally, and academically while positioning themselves for the right collegiate opportunity. By expanding opportunities in football and boys lacrosse, we’re meeting a growing need for intentional pathways that prepare athletes for long-term success.”

As part of the PG program launch, Daniel Devine will lead Football, bringing over two decades of experience in high school athletics, education, and program management. Devine guided Woodstock High School to consecutive state playoff appearances, earned a 2024 Region Coach of the Year nomination, and has a proven record of developing student-athletes on and off the field. Jason Basso will lead Boys Lacrosse, leveraging 15 years of IMG Academy experience coaching multiple teams and mentoring athletes at every level. His leadership ensures a smooth transition for current student-athletes joining the PG program, providing continuity, expert guidance, and a development-focused environment.

Designed to address the realities of today’s recruiting environment, IMG Academy’s PG programs deliver integrated support that helps student-athletes maximize opportunity and readiness:

• College Planning & Placement: Monitoring NCAA eligibility, tracking recruiting activity, and aligning student-athletes with the right college opportunities.
• Recruiting Tools: Access to NCSA and IMG Academy’s Sports Recruit platform, providing guidance, analytics, and exposure to a nationwide network of college coaches.
• Athletic Development: Daily sport-specific training, strength and conditioning, mental performance, and top-level competition.
• Academic Readiness: Flexible college-prep curriculum with Honors/AP courses, dual enrollment, and academic support to meet NCAA requirements.

In today’s evolving college sports environment, a PG year represents a strategic investment in preparation, maturity, and long-term athletic and academic success.

To learn more about IMG Academy’s PG opportunities, please see here.

About IMG Academy

IMG Academy is the world's leading sports education brand, providing a holistic education model that empowers student-athletes to win their future, preparing them for college and for life. IMG Academy provides growth opportunities for all student-athletes through an innovative suite of on-campus and online experiences:

• Boarding school and camps, via a state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Fla.
• Online coaching via the IMG Academy+ brand, with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance
• Online college recruiting, via NCSA and SportsRecruits, providing unmatched college recruiting education and services to student-athletes and their families, club coaches, and event operators, and is the premier service for college coaches.