High school football: Class of 2028 quarterback Jayden Wade next big star for IMG Academy

By Zack Poff Mar 26, 2024, 2:30pm

Arizona, Georgia, Oregon and handful of others have already offered promising eighth-grader.

J.J. McCarthy, Kellen Mond and Shea Patterson are just a few of the notable quarterbacks that have come from IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). Up next is Class of 2028 standout Jayden Wade.

The 6-foot-4, 190-pound signal caller saw action in seven games as an eighth-grader, completing 14 of 20 passes for 199 yards and one touchdown. 247Sports reports offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Georgia, Oregon, San Jose State, UCF, Utah and Washington State.

"Jayden Wade demonstrates exceptional talent, exhibiting remarkable attributes including size, strength and speed," IMG Academy head coach Billy Miller said. "Jayden exemplifies unwavering dedication and humility, consistently applying himself both on and off the field in pursuit of becoming a premier quarterback nationally."
Jayden White in action against St. Frances Academy last fall. (Photo: Stacy White)
Jayden White in action against St. Frances Academy last fall. (Photo: Stacy White)
Wade is expected to be the starting quarterback next season and would become the second freshman to start under center for the Ascenders. Ryan Downes started as a ninth-grader during the final two games in 2021 after A.J. Duffy got hurt. He went 1-1 with a 28-0 win over Clarkson North (Canada) followed by a 34-24 loss against St. Frances Academy (Baltimore).

IMG Academy hosted a pro day earlier this month and Wade clocked in with a 4.49 40-yard dash. He also posted a 32.1 inch vertical jump.
 

The Class of 2028 quarterback will be under center for one of the most talented teams in the country next season. The Ascenders went 10-0 last fall and finished ranked No. 4 nationally by MaxPreps. 

IMG Academy is on the short list of teams to begin the year ranked No. 1. Zechariah FortAlex GrahamKsani Jiles, Donovan JohnsonAmari JonesBreck KolojayA.J. Marks. Eric McFarland, London Merritt, Gavin NixDonovan Olugbode, Nathaniel Owusu-BoatengKeenyi Pepe, Kaden Strayhorn and Wade headline the talent.