Florida high school football rankings: IMG Academy No. 1 in 2024 Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

Ascenders begin season ranked No. 3 in the nation following an unbeaten season in 2023.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jordan Divens

By Jordan Divens

Aug 16, 2024, 11:00am

Sophomore season highlights of Chaminade-Madonna's (Hollywood, FL) 5-star wide receiver Jabari Brady. Highlights are from his sophomore year at Monarch (Coconut Creek, FL).

Chaminade-Madonna's 5-star WR Jabari Brady | 2023 Highlights 24,896 views 2:27

The high school football season in Florida kicks off next week and MaxPreps has your look at the state's top teams. Perennial national powerhouse IMG Academy (Bradenton) owns the No. 1 spot in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.

The Ascenders begin the season ranked No. 3 nationally as they look to continue their dominance in 2024 after tallying an 80-5 record over the past nine seasons. The Ascenders have 24 players rated as a three-star recruit or higher according to 247Sports.

Seniors Michael Carroll (6-6, 315, OL, Alabama commitment), London Merritt (6-3, 250, DL, Ohio State), Gavin Nix (6-0, 225, LB, Miami), Donovan Olugbode (6-1, 200, QB, Missouri) and Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng (6-0, 205, LB) along with juniors Zech Fort (5-11, 190, DB), Elijah Golden (6-4, 260, DL), and Keenyi Pepe (6-7, 295, OL) lead the charge for IMG Academy.

Reigning state champions from the Sunshine State include Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) in 1M, Hawthorne in 1R, Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota) in 1S, Berkeley Prep (Tampa) in 2M, Cocoa in 2S, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) in 3M, Mainland (Daytona Beach) in 3S, Columbus (Miami) in 4M and Lakeland in 4S.

The Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 is a composite of our Preseason Top 100 and computer rankings factoring in past results and adjustments such as returners and statistical data when available.