Elijah Golden: IMG Academy Football – Monster DL named NUC 5 Star .. continues to climb recruiting boards !!!!
Elijah Golden, a 2026 at IMG Academy in Florida has been named a five-star player for his football excellence. He recently earned this rating from NUC Sports, and is seen as a top prospect for college football.
Golden is originally from Virginia, but made the decision to attend IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL to better his football and academic future. He attributes much of his success to the hard work and dedication he put in while growing up. He started seriously training as he got older and his body continued to mature. The 2026 prospect is now starting to gain recognition as he continues to rise up the recruiting boards.
Elijah is a major contributor to his team, but his work ethic and natural athletic ability has really started to shine recently. During this time, he continues to prove himself to be a team leader and a reliable asset on and off the field. He is often looked at to make the big play when it’s needed.
In terms of physical ability, Golden is a natural athlete for his size. He has quick feet and a great first step, making him a powerful presence that seems to be a constant nuisance in the backfield. Additionally, his power and strength are top-notch, and his football IQ is incredibly high. All of these attributes helped him earn his five-star rating from NUC Sports.
Golden is now being recruited by some of the top college football programs in the country. His future looks bright, and it seems likely that he will gain even more recognition and success in the future. IMG Academy can be proud to have him as a student, and is the next in a long line of big time recruits produced by IMG.
Elijah is now being recruited by schools such as Notre Dame, Maryland, UNC, Virginia, Pittsburgh, Virginia Texch, Duke, West Virginia, Florida, and Charlotte. Notre Dame seems to be the leader in this process, but the offers continue to come.
Off the field, Golden is a leader both in the locker room and in the community. He is a mentor to younger student athletes and a role model for aspiring football players. The 2026 prospect and his teammates are also involved in a number of community outreach programs, and he worked hard to ensure a bright future for the communities he served.
Golden is the next great recruit to come out of powerhouse IMG Academy. Florida has always been a hotbed for high level talent, IMG has produced some of the country’s top players year after year and Elijah is no different. I expect him to continue to mature and grow