MaxPreps Preseason High School Football Top 25: No. 1 IMG Academy

Head coach: Bobby Acosta

Last season: 9-1, No. 8 national ranking

Key Players JC Latham

OL/DL | 6-6 | 305 | Sr.
The 5-star Alabama commit dominates in the trenches.

Announced in May he's playing senior year at IMG. The 2021 Michigan commit led Nazareth Academy (LaGrange Park, Ill.) to a 26-2 record and threw for over 6,000 yards and 71 touchdowns over the last two years.

Checks in as the No. 6 player overall from the Class of 2022 and the recent Olive Branch (Miss.) transfer is the top-rated defensive tackle.

The No. 1 rated offensive tackle in the Class of 2022.

Led the Ascenders with over 1,000 yards rushing as a sophomore. Allen and 2021 Georgia commit Lovasea' Carroll will comprise one of the top backfields this season. Notable Games

Aug. 28 — vs. No. 14 Northwestern (Miami)

Sept. 4 — vs. Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.) at Lakewood Stadium (Atlanta)

*Cam Newton Classic

Sept. 11 — at Catholic (Baton Rouge, La.)

Sept. 25 — at No. 19 St. John's (Washington, D.C.)

Oct. 9 — vs. No. 18 Good Counsel (Olney, Md.)

Nov. 13 — vs. No. 4 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.) Summary

Bobby Acosta takes over as head coach and inherits one of the most talented teams in the country. The Ascenders are loaded at every position and this is the sixth consecutive season they start the year in the Top 10. IMG has gone 55-3 since 2014 but has never finished as the No. 1 team in the final rankings. With the roster and 2020 schedule, there's a legitimate chance the Ascenders could be crowned national champions if they run the table.