IMG Academy Produces Multiple First-Round NFL Draft Picks for the Third Straight Year

BRADENTON, Fla. (April 25, 2026) IMG Academy, the world’s leading sports education brand, had five alumni selected in the 2026 National Football League (NFL) Draft in Pittsburgh, Penn. IMG Academy continues to hold the NFL record with at least one first-round pick every year since 2020 and is the only high school in draft history to produce two separate draft classes with two top-10 picks (2024: No. 7 JC Latham and No. 10 J.J. McCarthy).

The 2026 class was highlighted by wide receiver Carnell Tate, who was selected No. 4 overall by the Tennessee Titans, IMG Academy’s highest football draft pick in program history. Offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa was also selected No. 10 overall by the New York Giants. They were joined by cornerback Daylen Everette (No.85 overall, Pittsburgh Steelers), defensive linemen DeMonte Capehart (No. 155, Tampa Buccaneers), and running back Kaytron Allen (No.187, Washington Commanders).

With the selections of Mauigoa and Tate, IMG Academy now has 10 alumni selected in the first round since 2020, the most of any high school in the last decade. The 2026 NFL Draft marked the third consecutive year with multiple IMG Academy alumni selected in the first round and the fourth time in the last five years with multiple alumni taken in the first two rounds.

“Year after year, the NFL Draft has become a stage where our football program continues to make history, with our alumni earning opportunities at the highest level of the game,” said Kyle Brey, Director of Football. “Another year with multiple first-round selections and the highest draft pick in IMG Academy football program history continues to validate the standard of development within our program. This reflects the hard work of our student-athletes and the intentional support our staff provides to help them win their future.”

Overall, IMG Academy has had 30 alumni selected since becoming NFL Draft eligible in 2018. The 2026 NFL Draft also extended the program’s streak to eight consecutive years with multiple selections, producing five total picks, the second-most in a single draft class behind the record-setting seven selections in 2021.

Carnell Tate, Wide Receiver (No. 4 | Tennessee Titans), Class of IMG Academy 2023

Tate has become the highest selection in IMG Academy football history. He is also the first IMG Academy wide receiver alumnus to be selected in the first round and just the third wide receiver in program history overall. Tate marks the ninth IMG Academy alumni selected in the first round since 2020. Tate graduated from IMG Academy in 2023 after two seasons with the program, averaging 20.3 yards per catch as a senior. With eight receptions and two touchdowns, Tate helped IMG Academy to a win against nationally-ranked St. Frances Academy. In his senior season, Tate was the No. 25 ranked overall player in the nation. At Ohio State University, he ranked 18th in receptions and yards with 121 receptions for 1,862 yards and 14 touchdowns over 39 games. Tate is the first IMG Academy alumni to be selected from Ohio State University.

Francis Mauigoa, Offensive Lineman (No. 10 | New York Giants), Class of IMG Academy 2023

Mauigoa became the eighth-ever IMG Academy alumni, offensive lineman selected in the NFL Draft and is the fifth-ever IMG Academy alumni offensive lineman taken in the first round. Mauigoa graduated from IMG Academy in 2023 and helped the team to a 9-1 record during his senior season. As a five-star prospect, Mauigoa was the No. 1 ranked offensive tackle in the nation by ESPN and 247Sports. He competed in the Under Armour All-American Game and the Polynesian Bowl. Mauigoa started all 42 games of his career at University of Miami. He earned NCAA All-America first-team recognition and was selected as the annual winner of ACC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy. Mauigoa is the third IMG Academy selected from University of Miami following his brother in 2025 and the third IMG Academy offensive lineman on the Giants, joining Evan Neal and Danny Faalele.

Daylen Everette, Cornerback (No. 85 | Pittsburgh Steelers), Class of IMG Academy 2022

Everette became the third IMG Academy alumni cornerback selected in the NFL Draft in program history. Everette, a 2022 IMG Academy graduate, earned selection to the Under Armour All-American Game after completing his junior and senior years at IMG Academy. He went on to compete at the University of Georgia, becoming the second IMG Academy alumnus to be drafted from the program at Georgia.

DeMonte Capehart, Defensive Lineman (No. 155 | Tampa Buccaneers), Class of IMG Academy 2020

Capehart became IMG Academy’s fourth defensive lineman drafted in program history. Capehart spent his senior year at IMG Academy where he recorded 44 total tackles and lead the team with 16 tackles for loss. At Clemson University, Capehart contributed to three ACC championship teams with 88 tackles over 57 career games. He made All-ACC Academic Team selection three years in a row. Capehart is the second defensive lineman selected from Clemson University and second IMG Academy alumni drafted by the Buccaneers.

Kaytron Allen, Running Back (No. 187 | Washington Commanders), Class of IMG Academy 2022

Allen became the second IMG Academy alumni, running back selected since Bo Scarbrough in 2018. Allen played three seasons at IMG Academy. In his senior season he totaled over 1,400 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns and played in the 2022 Under Armour All-American Game. During his time at Pennsylvania State University, Allen had eight career 100-yard games and finished his career with 2,000 rushing yards. Allen is the second IMG Academy alumni selected from Pennsylvania State University.

IMG Academy’s football program saw remarkable success across all levels this past season with three alumni participating in the 2025 NFL playoffs. At the high school level, 2025 was a banner year as well. IMG Academy’s State team captured its third straight SSIA State Championship, while the National team closed out the season undefeated. Beyond the field, IMG Academy’s online recruiting service, NCSA College Recruiting, played a pivotal role, with 18 student-athletes selected in this year’s draft, including five in the first two rounds. The success of both alumni and current student-athletes continues to reinforce IMG Academy’s position as a leading force in football development.

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 IMG Academy+, with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance
• Online college recruiting, via NCSA and Sports Recruits, 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.

To learn more about IMG Academy and its on-campus and online experiences, visit www.imgacademy.com.