High school football: MaxPreps Sophomore All-Americans Anthony Rogers, Jamar Malone transferring to IMG Academy

By Zack Poff Mar 29, 2023, 2:30pm

Ascenders add star running back from Alabama, quarterback from Arizona.

A week after Jamar Malone II of Higley (Gilbert, Ariz.) announced his transfer to IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), Anthony Rogers of Pike Road (Pike Road, Ala.) tweeted he is headed to the national power as well. The four-star running back was a first team selection on the 2022 MaxPreps Sophomore All-America team after rushing for over 1,600 yards and 22 scores.

Malone was a second team selection on the 2022 MaxPreps Sophomore All-America squad after accounting for 4,954 yards of total offense (4,017 passing, 937 rushing) and 56 touchdowns. He led the Knights to a 12-2 record and 5A state title.
Rogers is the 64th-rated player overall on 247Sports and No. 8 running back while Malone checks in at No. 94. He is the ninth-rated quarterback among rising juniors. With Rogers and Malone transferring to IMG, it gives the Ascenders five players rated in the top 100 of the 247Sports rankings for the Class of 2025. They have eight players rated as a four-star recruit or higher in the Class of 2024.

The Ascenders went 8-1 last season and finished ranked at No. 5 in the MaxPreps Top 25. Some notable returners include Jayden Bradford, Jerrick Gibson, Donovan Johnson, Jordon Johnson-Rubell, Ellis Robinson IV, David Stone and Winston Watkins Jr.

IMG has finished ranked in the MaxPreps Top 25 eight consecutive years, including a No. 1 finish in 2020. Expect them to be in contention for the top spot when we release our preseason MaxPreps Top 25 over the summer. The 2023 schedule includes games against Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.), St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia), Ben Davis (Indianapolis), Glenville (Cleveland) and St. Frances Academy (Baltimore).

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