Neville wide receiver Chris Fuller (17) makes a catch over a Warren Easton defender during the 2014 Class 4A state championship game. (Photo: Monroe News-Star)
The rich are getting richer.
IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., already had a roster loaded with talent, then the program added Ole Miss commit Shea Patterson at quarterback in mid-July. Patterson is ranked among the top two QBs in the nation in the Class of 2016.
Just within the last week, IMG has added three more highly regarded players, including a pair from New Jersey.
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The man getting the ball to Patterson on every snap is junior transfer Cesar Ruiz from Camden, N.J. Ruiz is a four-star recruit according to the 247Sports composite and has already accepted an invite to the 2017 Under Armour All-American game.
Ruiz visited the Bradenton facility Saturday and accepted his invitation days later.
“They were telling me how they have a new quarterback and both of you guys are new to the school so we want you to bond with each other so you can build a friendship,” Ruiz told NJ.com. “I heard a lot about (Patterson) in the meeting, (Saturday). It’s cool I’ll be snapping to one of the best quarterbacks in the country.”
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Elvin Hines Jr., from Paul VI in Haddonfield, N.J., announced his transfer to IMG this week. A 6-2 junior, he is ranked as the No. 6 athlete in New Jersey according to the 247 Sports composite.
Among Patterson’s new targets is Louisiana wide receiver Chris Fuller. Fuller led defending Class 4A state champion Neville with 27 catches for 724 yards and eight touchdowns in 2014 as a sophomore.
IMG became aware of Fuller through the Louisiana Bootleggers summer 7-on-7 team, where Fuller and Patterson were teammates.
“Shea Patterson and I have a good connection and the coaches gave me a call,” Fuller told Gannett partner The Monroe News Star.
IMG already has added senior Isaac Nauta, considered the No. 1 TE by Rivals.com, from Buford, Ga.; OL Tyler Gerald, a transfer from East (Sciotoville, Ohio) who is 6-5 and 305 pounds and has committed to Ohio State; five-star senior DE Shavar Manuel from Blake (Tampa); and senior LB Rahshaun Smith, a Clemson commit who transferred from St. Frances (Baltimore).
The school had added QB Malik Henry, a FSU commit who transferred from Westlake (Westlake Village, Calif.) but he and the program parted ways before he ever played a game. Henry has returned to Southern California. His departure opened the door for Patterson.
