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IMG Academy is the school with the most players on 2023 NFL rosters. See who and how many

Dennis Maffezzoli, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·5 min read

When it comes to producing NFL talent, IMG Academy is No. 1.

The Ascenders had the most former players of any high school in the nation on NFL Opening Weekend rosters this season with 14. That was three more than American Heritage Plantation and six more than St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale. Miami Northwestern High also is among the top eight high schools with six on NFL rosters.

East Lake High in Tarpon Springs and Lakewood High in St. Petersburg are among the 18 high schools with four players on NFL rosters.

Current IMG prospects: IMG Academy National football team loaded with top-notch college prospects

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Four of the 14 IMG Academy players were first-round picks, two were second-rounders, three were third-rounders, two were fourth-rounders, and one fifth-rounder. Two were undrafted.

Three NFL teams have two former IMG Academy players: Cleveland, New Orleans and Philadelphia.

And no surprise, Florida has the most players in the NFL with 178.

Here's a look at those IMG alumni to open the 2023 NFL season on rosters.

Andre Cisco, Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) gestures during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) gestures during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

College: Syracuse

Height: 6-0

Weight: 209

NFL Draft: 3rd round, 65th overall in 2021

Position: Safety

Note: As a senior at IMG Academy, had 15 tackles, one interception, four passes defensed, and recovered three fumbles.

Grant Delpit, Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns' Grant Delpit runs drills at the NFL football team's training camp on Monday, July 24, 2023, in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Cleveland Browns' Grant Delpit runs drills at the NFL football team's training camp on Monday, July 24, 2023, in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

College: LSU

Height: 6-3

Weight: 208

NFL Draft: 2nd round, 44th overall in 2020

Position: Free safety

Note: A native of Houston, Texas, Delpit transferred to IMG Academy from Lamar High in Houston.

Daniel Faalele, Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Daniel Faalele (77) looks on during pre-game warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Daniel Faalele (77) looks on during pre-game warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

College: Minnesota

Height: 6-9

Weight: 380

NFL Draft: 4th round, 110th overall in 2022

Position: Tackle

Note: Attended IMG Academy in 2016-17. In 2016 he only practiced with the Ascenders as he became acclimated to playing football. In 2017, helped IMG Academy to an undefeated season and anchored an offense that averaged 177 rushing yards per game and 27.8 points.

Hjalte Froholdt, Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals guard Hjalte Froholdt stands on the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. The Chiefs won 38-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals guard Hjalte Froholdt stands on the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. The Chiefs won 38-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

College: Arkansas

Height: 6-5

Weight: 310

NFL Draft: 4th round, 118th overall in 2019

Position: Offensive line

Note: A native of Svendborg, Denmark, he developed into a 5-star prospect by PrepStar on the defensive line, where he had 55 tackles, 12 for a loss, and 10 sacks during his senior season. Froholdt made the transition to the offensive line during his sophomore season at Arkansas.

Robert Hainsey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Robert Hainsey (70) eyes a defender as he prepares to block during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Robert Hainsey (70) eyes a defender as he prepares to block during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)

College: Notre Dame

Height: 6-4

Weight: 306

NFL Draft: 3rd round, 95th overall in 2021

Position: Offensive line

Note: In 2016, Hainsey was selected to play in the Under Armour All-Star Game in St. Petersburg. 

Tony Jones, New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints running back Tony Jones Jr. (34) carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New Orleans Saints running back Tony Jones Jr. (34) carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

College: Notre Dame

Height: 5-11

Weight: 224

NFL Draft: Undrafted

Position: Running back

Note: Rushed for 514 yards on 78 carries and 11 touchdowns and had six catches for 149 yards and a score during his senior season with the Ascenders. Also played baseball at IMG Academy, hitting .491 with two doubles, a triple, a home run, nine runs batted in, 11 stolen bases, and 16 runs scored in 18 games as a junior.

Tre’ McKitty, Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Tre' McKitty (88) catches the ball before an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Tre' McKitty (88) catches the ball before an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

College: Florida State, Georgia

Height: 6-4

Weight: 246

NFL Draft: 3rd round, 97th overall in 2021

Position: Tight end

Note: Attended Wesley Chapel High School before transferring to IMG Academy after his freshman year. As a senior, he caught 25 passes for 341 yards and four scores.

Evan Neal, New York Giants

New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) lines up against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) lines up against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

College: Alabama

Height: 6-7

Weight: 360

NFL Draft: 1st round, 7th overall in 2022

Position: Offensive line

Note: A 5-star offensive tackle at IMG Academy, Neal was rated the No. 1 tackle and No. 8 player overall by Rivals. Born and raised in Okeechobee, Neal attended Okeechobee High as a freshman before transferring to IMG Academy. He played right guard, right tackle, and left tackle for the Ascenders.

Greg Newsome II, Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II defends against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Cleveland. The Browns won 24-3. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II defends against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Cleveland. The Browns won 24-3. (AP Photo/David Richard)

College: Northwestern

Height: 6-0

Weight: 192

NFL Draft: 1st round, 26th overall in 2021

Position: Cornerback

Note: A native of Chicago, Newsome transferred to IMG Academy after playing his sophomore and junior seasons at Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream, Illinois.

K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings' K.J. Osborn during an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Minnesota Vikings' K.J. Osborn during an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

College: Buffalo, Miami

Height: 5-11

Weight: 203

NFL Draft: 5th round, 176th overall in 2020

Position: Wide receiver

Note: Transferred from Lincoln High in Ypsilanti, Minnesota, to IMG Academy for his senior season in 2014. Had 21 catches for 379 yards and a team-high 7 touchdowns for the Ascenders.

Eli Ricks, Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles' Eli Ricks plays during an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles' Eli Ricks plays during an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

College: LSU, Alabama

Height: 6-2

Weight: 190

NFL Draft: Undrafted

Position: Cornerback

Note: Transferred to IMG Academy from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. Was ranked the No. 1 overall prospect in Florida by 247Sports, MaxPreps, and Rivals. In 10 games as a senior with the Ascenders, Ricks recorded 14 solo tackles and had three interceptions.

Cesar Ruiz, New Orleans Saints

FILE - New Orleans Saints center Cesar Ruiz reacts after an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans Aug. 27, 2023, in New Orleans. The Saints have signed starting guard and 2020 first-round draft choice Ruiz to a four-year extension. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman, File)
FILE - New Orleans Saints center Cesar Ruiz reacts after an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans Aug. 27, 2023, in New Orleans. The Saints have signed starting guard and 2020 first-round draft choice Ruiz to a four-year extension. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman, File)

College: Michigan

Height: 6-4

Weight: 316

NFL Draft: 1st round, 24th overall in 2020

Position: Offensive line

Note: After spending his first two seasons at Camden High School in New Jersey, Ruiz transferred to IMG Academy, where he led the Ascenders to undefeated seasons in 2015 and 2016. As a senior in 2016, the Ascenders passed for more than 2,000 yards and rushed for 1,879 in 11 games. He was a 4-star and the No. 1 center, according to ESPN.

Nolan Smith, Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles' Nolan Smith during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Eagles' Nolan Smith during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

College: Georgia

Height: 6-3

Weight: 235

NFL Draft: 1st round, 30th overall in 2023

Position: Linebacker

Note: After attending Calvary Day School in Savannah, Georgia, Smith transferred to IMG Academy for his senior season where he vaulted to the No. 1 player in the country. For the Ascenders, Smith had 31 solo tackles, 47 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, and 6 quarterback hurries.

D.J. Turner II, Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback DJ Turner II (20) runs against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback DJ Turner II (20) runs against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

College: Michigan

Height: 6-0

Weight: 180

NFL Draft: 2nd round, 60th overall in 2023

Position: Cornerback

Note: Attended IMG Academy as a senior in 2019 after transferring from North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Georgia. With the Ascenders, Turner recorded 17 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 4 pass breakups, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: IMG Academy has 14 alums in the NFL for the 2023 season, most in the nation