First IMG Academy Football Alumnus and NFL Combine and Pathway Players Selected in 2018 NFL Draft

IMG Academy trainees in the NFL Pre-Combine/Draft Training and NFL Pathway programs were well represented during the 2018 NFL Draft held in Dallas, Texas on April 26-28, 2018. In total, 14 trainees joined NFL rosters either by Draft selection or through Rookie Free Agency (RFA).

Most notably, Bo Scarbrough became the first-ever alumnus of the IMG Academy Varsity Football program to hear his named called in the Draft. Scarbrough, a member of the IMG Academy 2014 signing class who played collegiately for the University of Alabama and was a member of the Crimson Tide’s last two national championship teams, was taken in the seventh round by the Dallas Cowboys (236th overall). Scarbrough returned to campus this spring to work with IMG Academy’s Pre-Combine/Draft Training program. 

This year was also the first year for the NFL Pathway program to train athletes at IMG Academy. Former professional rugby player, Jordan Mailata of Australia, who had never played American football before arriving in Bradenton, was selected in the seventh round by the 2018 Super Bowl champion's Philadelphia Eagles (233rd overall). 

The remaining four athletes in the program were each signed to free agent contracts with AFC North franchises. The players include Moritz Böhringer (Cincinnati Bengals), who was originally drafted in the sixth round by the Minnesota Vikings in 2016, German Football League player Christopher Ezeala (Baltimore Ravens), former British American Football League player Tigie Sankoh (Cleveland Browns) and former English professional rugby player Christian Scotland-Williamson (Pittsburgh Steelers).

For the past three months, the players have been training alongside NFL players and draft hopefuls at IMG Academy, under the supervision of former NFLUK head of football Aden Durde, who was hired as the Atlanta Falcons defensive quality control coach after this season’s program, along with IMG Academy coaches, including running back coach, Earnest Byner, offensive line coach, Paul Dunn, defensive back coach, Donnie Henderson, and wide receiver coach, Larry Kirksey.

The franchises to sign the players will retain the players on their roster until the end of the 2018 training camp. At that time, the players would be eligible for an international player practice squad exemption. 

Last year’s IMG Academy Pre-Combine/Draft class included NFL rushing champ Kareem Hunt, who was taken by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 3rd Round with the 86th overall pick. Hunt led all rushers with 1,327 yards on the ground and was second among rookies in rushing touchdowns with 8 on the year on his way to being voted to the 2018 NFL Pro Bowl. 

Full list of selections and signings: 
•    Duke Dawson, CB, Florida – 2nd Round (56th overall) – New England Patriots
•    Jerome Baker, LB, Ohio State – 3rd Round (73rd overall) – Miami Dolphins
•    Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond – 4th Round (108th overall) – New York Giants
•    Julian Taylor, DL, Temple – 7th Round (223rd overall) – San Francisco 49ers
•    Jordan Mailata, OL, Australia – 7th Round (233rd overall) – Philadelphia Eagles
•    Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama – 7th Round (236th overall) – Dallas Cowboys
•    Ryan Izzo, TE, Florida State – 7th Round (250th overall) – New England Patriots 
•    Austin Golson, OL, Auburn – RFA – New York Jets
•    Janarion Grant, WR, Rutgers – RFA – Baltimore Ravens
•    Davon Grayson, WR, East Carolina – RFA – New York Giants
•    Darius Hamilton, DL, Rutgers – RFA – Atlanta Falcons
•    Taylor Hearn, OL, Clemson – RFA – Carolina Panthers
•    KC McDermott, OL, Miami – RFA – Jacksonville Jaguars
•    Tre Williams, LB, Auburn – RFA – New York Jets

IMG Academy has been a training destination for offseason and Draft preparation for more than two decades, including four players who went on to become the No. 1 overall picks. Past NFL trainees at IMG include the likes of Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins, Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton, New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees, Carolina Panthers LB Luke Kuechly, Atlanta Falcons WR Mohamed Sanu, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy. 

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