SMU 4-star QB commit Ty Hawkins scores four TDs in IMG Academy's first win of the season

The first game of the season for Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy didn’t go according to plan last week, as the Ascenders lost a nationally-ranked tilt on the road against Corner Canyon (Utah), 35-34.

The No. 1 program in the state of Florida got back on the road this week and made its way to New Jersey to take on Bergen Catholic, the top-ranked team in the Garden State. Things went much better on Thursday night — thanks to IMG quarterback Ty Hawkins.

In a 27-14 victory, Hawkins collected all four touchdowns for the Ascenders, scampering for three on the ground while also throwing for one. Three of those scores came in the second half, breaking open what was a 7-7 game in the third quarter.

SMU commit Ty Hawkins is QUICK 💨 Big time TD to put IMG up 14-7@TyHawk1ns | @IMGAFootball pic.twitter.com/vfH1MyrEra

— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) August 30, 2024

Hawkins finished the evening with 263 total yards and also earned MVP honors on Thursday as a part of the ‘Battle at the Beach’ event in Jersey. The SMU commit has now scored four touchdowns in each of his first two games, as he threw for three and ran for one in IMG’s loss last week.

The 6-foot dual-threat QB transferred to IMG for his senior season after beginning his high school career at home in San Antonio for Claudia Taylor Johnson High. He threw for over 4,200 yards, completing 262 passes and hurling 54 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions as a sophomore and junior, while also rushing for 24 scores.

“At IMG Academy, I want to go play great completion, compete and learn as much as I can before enrolling in college early,” Hawkins told On3’s Chad Simmons in July. “IMG has great offensive linemen, they have great receivers to throw to, and I am excited about getting down there and playing with those guys.”

Hawkins was pledged to TCU for over a year, but flipped his commitment to SMU on July 3. He is the No. 178 overall prospect and No. 14 QB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

IMG returns home after 1-1 start on the road

The Ascenders entered this week as the No. 22 team in the nation, according to the On3 Massey Ratings. Still projected to be the top program in the Sunshine State, IMG now returns home, where it will play its next two games.

Cocoa (Fla.) and Baltimore Mt. Zion Prep will head to Bradenton across the next two weeks. The likes of Mandarin (Fla.) Central (Ala.) and St. Frances Academy (Md.) remain on the schedule later this fall. Hawkins will look to continue his strong start to the season before returning to Texas to begin his college football career next year.

“I will bring leadership to IMG and I will go in, work hard and do my best to help the team,” Hawkins said. “My goal there is to get better, play against the best and come out of the high school as prepared as I can for the speed of college football.”