Liberty QB commit Jayden Bradford helped lead his team to a big win over Lipscomb Academy to open the 2023 season, passing for three touchdowns in the game. IMG Academy, ranked the No. 3 team in the country at the high school level, knocked off No. 18 Lipscomb, 35-10.
Liberty’s highest rated recruit in school history, according to the 247Sports Composite, Bradford is looking to build off his first season at IMG. In 2022, Bradford completed 71 of 91 passes (78%) for 1,071 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. He also rushed the ball 27 times for 53 yards and 2 additional scores.
Just three minutes into the opening game of 2023, Bradford connected with 4-star Florida commit Jerrae Hawkins for a 55-yard touchdown as the Ascenders took an early 7-0 lead.
Top247 WR and Florida commit Jerrae Hawkins displaying high level RAC ability after taking a pass from Liberty QB commit Jayden Bradford all the way to the house on IMG’s first drive of the game. pic.twitter.com/BGutCOLXnF
— Jordan Scruggs (@JScruggs247) August 19, 2023
Bradford would add his second touchdown pass of the night just before halftime as IMG led 21-3 at the break. With less than a minute to play in the second quarter, Bradford found 4-star wide receiver and Colorado commit Winston Watkins, Jr. for a 23-yard scoring play.
Liberty QB commit Jayden Bradford connecting with 2025 four-star Colorado WR commit Winston Watkins for a touchdown to put the Ascenders up 21-3 over Lipscomb Academy just before halftime https://t.co/Ni4KHakmWC pic.twitter.com/XeXNUxZpXu
— Jordan Scruggs (@JScruggs247) August 19, 2023
Bradford would add his third touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to put the lead out of reach at 35-10. He completed a 30-yard bubble screen pass to cap the scoring on the night.
Bradford has a long list of offers including several from the Power Five such as Penn State, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Louisville, Missouri, NC State, South Carolina, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, and Virginia Tech. Bradford’s Group of Five offers include Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Georgia State, UNLV, and UAB.
Bradford is originally from South Carolina where he attended Chapin High School before transferring to national powerhouse IMG Academy. Many had South Carolina and Penn State as the favorites for the talented quarterback, and he had announced a top three of USC, Penn State, and NC State in March before the Flames got heavily involved.
IMG returns to action on Saturday, August 26 when they travel to Philadelphia to take on No. 11 St. Joseph’s Prep.