Maury lineman Paul Hutson III heading to Florida football powerhouse IMG Academy
Paul Hutson III made a big decision this week when the rising junior decided to leave Maury High for IMG Academy, a national powerhouse program in Bradenton, Fla.
Hutson, a 6-foot-1 and 265-pound defensive tackle, helped lead the Commodores to the Class 5 state title last season.
He’s headed to a program that’s finished in the national top 10 the last five seasons. The program, which began in 2013, has had 49 players named All-Americans and nearly 140 have committed to NCAA Bowl Subdivision programs, including 12 players last season.
Hutson admitted it was a tough decision but one he felt would help him in the future.
“First, I love Maury’s staff and they’ve done so much for me. I’m just so grateful for them being there for me and helping me,” said Hutson, who was first-team All-Tidewater and all-state last season. “But when I was introduced to this opportunity, I just knew that it was something different to be around people 24-7 competing not just on the field but academically . . . I feel I can be even better if I go there.”
Hutson is rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports. He’s rated the No. 55 defensive tackle nationally and the No. 36 junior in Virginia. He has more than 10 offers, including Virginia Tech, Maryland and Pittsburgh.
Now he’ll be going against some of the nation’s best players, including Alabama commit J.C. Latham, a 6-6 and 305-pound offensive tackle, and four-star junior defensive lineman Dominick James, 6-2 and 270 pounds.
“It’s definitely going to be an amazing opportunity and it’s going to prepare me for the next level just competing with those guys every day who are three stars, four stars and five stars guys,” said Hutson, 17. “It’s going to be iron sharpens iron. It’s going to definitely make me a much better player. Getting to a five star is definitely the goal.”
He’ll also join running back Kaytron Allen, who played at Norview as a freshman before transferring to IMG Academy. Allen, 5-11 and 205 pounds, is a four-star prospect by 247Sports and has more than 20 offers, including Alabama Georgia, Ohio State, South Carolina, Texas, Michigan and Florida State. He’s rated the No. 98 junior nationally and the No. 9 running back in the country. Last season, he became the third IMG running back to surpass the 1,000-yard rushing mark in a single season.
“Freshman year, we were going at it with me at Maury and him at Norview,” Hutson said. “I love competing against him. But we’re very close now especially since I’m going up there. So, it’s cool.”
Maury coach Dyrri McCain said he will miss Hutson but understands why he’s leaving. What he respects most is Hutson kept him up to date throughout the whole process.
“He did it respectfully. He and his parents did a good job just relaying stuff to me. It wasn’t like a backdoor situation,” McCain said. “You can’t do anything but support that kid. He’s making the best move for himself and we support it. He’s always going to be one of our guys.”
Hutson leaves for IMG Academy on Sunday and begins practice on Monday. The Ascenders begin the season Aug. 28 against Miami’s Northwestern High.
“They’ve been practicing for a couple of weeks,” he said. “So, I’m going to be coming into it a little late, but I’m going to work my tail off to get into that starting rotation . . . It’s going to be amazing to be able to showcase my talent with the top talent in the country.”
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com
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