IMG Academy has made quick work of their opponents in the first part of the year.
The Ascenders have cruised to a 3-0 start to the season, outscoring opponents, 159-13. Most of their damage is done in the first half, and they have led by at least 28 points at halftime in all three of their games.
IMG Academy's offensive prowess is impressive, but to be expected from a team chalk-full of the top prospects in the nation. What is surprising is that the offensive line lost its key starters from last year's squad, and there isn't a single senior in this year's group.
IMG Academy head coach Greg Studrawa says the dominant starts are on purpose, and are the key to winning with a younger squad.
"We have some young guys up front on both sides of the ball,"
Studrawa said. "So I think it's important to come out and start fast. Because when we start fast, good things happen early and we play with a lot of confidence. And I think that's what we've done and you can see the results."
The results this year are undeniable. The Ascenders are averaging 53 points per game (football, not basketball), have posted at least 200 receiving yards in every game, and are averaging just a sniff under that on the ground.
IMG Academy building success upon strong offensive line
Studrawa made his bones as an offensive line coach. After starting his career as an assistant at Bowling Green, Studrawa climbed the ranks until a seven-year stint as offensive line coach at LSU under Les Miles, then a six-year run at Ohio State under Urban Meyer and Ryan Day.
Now in his second year at IMG Academy, Studrawa has already seen an elite crop of offensive lineman shine. Last year's group included five-star OT Keenyi Pepe (USC), four-star IOL Breck Kolojay (USC), four-star IOL G'Nivre Carr (Florida), and three-star IOL Will Conroy (North Carolina). This year's group has the same level of talent, but without the playing experience.
"There was a major improvement (from week one to week two), and that's normal" Studrawa said after a 59-10 drubbing of Cornerstone Christian. "But I think they're starting to learn that as an offensive lineman they have to pay attention to detail. I think early on they think they can do it with size and strength and all that — nope. Can't do it, and I think they're learning that."
IMG Academy offensive line: Who are these guys?
As a decorated offensive line coach, Studrawa has the group under a microscope in Bradenton. Major Green, who played behind last year's group of super seniors, credits Studrawa with his growth since arriving at IMG as a sophomore. Now a junior, Greene is an integral part of the offense and ranked as the No. 2 IOL in the country.
"Coach Studs is a great coach, I'm pretty sure everyone knows that," Green said at a media day on July 30. "I got a lot better since I've been here. Something different about this group is that we're pretty smart up front. We're going to be able to pick up a lot of blitzes, and I don't think and defense will be able to mess with our unit."
Eytan D'Olea arrived this offseason from New Jersey, and it only took a few weeks for the big tackle to realize that more is expected out of his group under Studrawa.
"He really watches the offensive line," Eytan D'oleo said. "He really is heavy on us because he wants us to be great. He just wants us to get to that next level, and he's been to that level, coaching at the next level."
Four-star tackle Nation Farmer echoed the same sentiment after arriving from Georgia as a junior. Now with the Ascenders, Studrawa's coaching style has shown Farmer what he is looking for at the next level.
"I want a (college) coach that will make me feel like I don't want to do this anymore," Nation Farmer said. "You don't want average coaching, that's not going to get you anywhere. You know, like Coach Stud, he's going to make you feel like, do I actually want to this sport? He's that good of a coach. Every coach should make you question if you love football. That's how hard it should be."
Quarterback Jayden Wade knew that the group protecting him would look entirely different this year. It didn't faze him then, and the 5-star Georgia commit has had all the time in the world this season.
"I've got good confidence with our O-line," Jayden Wade said on July 30. "I'm not getting touched. I'm going to have a clean pocket."
Wade was right. He's been sacked just once this year across three blowouts, and is up to 643 passing yards and nine touchdowns on 37-of-48 completions. He's added another 131 yards and two scores running behind his line on just seven carries.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New faces, same scores: How IMG is dismantling opponents with new OL
