BRADENTON, Fla. — For recruits and recruiters, there’s no destination quite like IMG Academy.



The elite college prep boarding school is the current home of at least 20 prospects who will sign with FBS schools during this 2019 recruiting cycle. It’s a star-studded group led by future Georgia defensive end Nolan Smith, the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit according to 247Sports Composite. And it’s a group that could form a top-10 recruiting class all by itself.



These aspiring teenagers moved from all over the country to get schooled and trained here. And that makes for one intensely competitive environment.



“We have kids come here for three days and leave, guys who are top recruits,” IMG running back Noah Cain said. “We’ve got kids who come for a few weeks and leave. I mean, it’s not for everybody. That just means you’re not ready for this stage this early.”



The stage these...