IMG Academy Sets Program Record with Two Alumni Selected in the First Round of the 2024 NFL Draft

BRADENTON, Fla. (April 28, 2024) - the world’s leading sports education brand, had three former student-athletes selected in the 2024 NFL Draft over the weekend in Detroit, Mich., including the No. 7 overall pick in offensive lineman JC Latham. He was joined by the No. 10 overall pick in quarterback JJ McCarthy and defensive lineman, Xavier Thomas (No. 138). The selections of Latham to the Tennessee Titans and McCarthy to the Minnesota Vikings are the most first round picks (two) in a single NFL Draft in program history.

The 2024 NFL Draft marked the fifth-consecutive year IMG Academy had an alumni selected in the first round, which is an NFL record for one high school, and the sixth-straight year two or more alumni were selected in the NFL Draft. Since 2020, IMG Academy has had at least one alumni selected in the first round every year including Cesar Ruiz (2020, New Orleans Saints), Greg Newsome (2021, Cleveland Browns), Evan Neal (2022, New York Giants) and Nolan Smith (2023, Philadelphia Eagles).

“The NFL Draft has become a very special event for IMG Academy each year as we’re so proud of our alumni who have made it to the highest level in football and won their future,” said Billy Miller, the National Football Team head coach. “To have two first round picks in the NFL Draft from IMG Academy for the first time this year and to have five-consecutive drafts with first round selections is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes and coaches.”

IMG Academy holds the record, now at 21 former alumni drafted, for most NFL Draft selections from one high school since 2018 (when the football program alumni first became eligible). The most IMG Academy alumni ever selected in one single NFL Draft class was seven in 2021, which was an NFL Draft record for one high school.

JC Latham, Offensive Lineman (No. 7 | Tennessee Titans), Class of IMG Academy 2021

Latham became the sixth IMG Academy alumni offensive lineman selected in NFL Draft history and joins Cesar Ruiz and Evan Neal as the third IMG Academy alumni offensive lineman taken in the first round. Latham ties the highest pick ever for IMG Academy with Evan Neal at No. 7 overall. IMG Academy has had offensive lineman taken in five of the past six NFL Drafts (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024). Latham graduated from IMG Academy in 2020 after being at the school for two years during his junior and senior season. He started at left tackle for the 2020 national championship team his senior year that went 8-0 and secured the No. 1 ranking on Max Prep’s final 2020 High School Football Ranking. Latham is the fourth IMG Academy alumni selected in the NFL Draft from the University of Alabama.

JJ McCarthy, Quarterback (No. 10 | Minnesota Vikings), Class of IMG Academy 2021

McCarthy became the highest IMG Academy alumni quarterback ever selected in NFL Draft history. McCarthy graduated from IMG Academy in 2020 after being at the school for his senior year of high school. He led the National football team to an 8-0 record culminating in a 2020 national championship title and the No. 1 team ranking on Max Prep’s final 2020 High School Football Ranking. McCarthy led the University of Michigan to three-consecutive Big Ten Conference titles and to a National Championship title in 2023 with an undefeated overall season record. McCarthy is the second IMG Academy alumni quarterback ever selected and the third IMG Academy alumni selected in the NFL Draft from the University of Michigan.

Xavier Thomas, Defensive Lineman (No. 138 | Arizona Cardinals), Class of IMG Academy 2018

Thomas became the second IMG Academy alumni defensive lineman selected in NFL Draft history and the first alumni selected in the NFL Draft from Clemson University. Thomas will join IMG Academy football alumni Hjalte Froholdt and Tony Jones Jr. with the Arizona Cardinals next season.

In addition to the football program’s alumni achieving collegiate and professional football success, IMG Academy had a banner year at the high school level in 2023. Its National football team finished the season undefeated and were voted National Champions in the NationalHSFB.com poll, while the Varsity football team clinched its first state title, winning 42-0 victory against Specialty Fit Academy in the SSIA State Championship.

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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 the NCSA brand, providing content, tools, coaching and access to a network of 40,000 college coaches

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