High School Teams Loaded with Top 2016 College Football Recruits

While most fans know the top college powerhouses on the recruiting trail, there are also a handful of prep programs that have established themselves as factories that produce college talent.

Whether it’s a perennial power such as Serra High School in Gardena, California, or a relative newcomer such as IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, those programs are a few of the rare ones that have multiple 2016 prospects on the same team. 

IMG, in particular, has four prospects who rate among the top 40 of 247Sports' 2016 list of top recruits.

Which other high school teams are loaded with top 2016 college football recruits?

*Schools listed in alphabetical order.

Archer HS: Lawrenceville, Ga.

The Atlanta metropolitan area is home to a number of the nation's top prospects.

One school located just north of Atlanta with a stacked roster is Archer High School in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

The Tigers have three of the Peach State’s top 20 prospects in 2016 in 4-star offensive lineman E.J. Price, 4-star athlete Kyle Davis and 4-star corner Dylan Singleton. 3-star defensive tackle Kobe Smith, who is committed to N.C. State, is another talented prospect.

The Tigers also have a pair of standouts in the 2017 class in 4-star safety Isaiah Pryor and 4-star athlete Jamyest Williams. 

With that type of firepower, the Tigers will field one of the top squads in the Peach State.

Central HS: Miami, Fla.

In recent years, Miami’s Central High School has become a powerhouse in Dade County—one of the premier hotbeds for prep talent in the entire country.

Notable alums include former FSU running back Devonta Freeman, current Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook and incoming freshman receiver Da’Vante Phillips, plus Miami running back Joseph Yearby.

This year, the Rockets have a pair of standouts committed to FSU in defensive end Keir Thomas and 3-star athlete Jamel Cook, plus 3-star linebacker and current Florida pledge Eric Mitchell.

Additionally, they will welcome a highly touted transfer in 4-star receiver Darnell Salomon. Linebacker Donavan Thompson is another player who could emerge on the radars of programs this fall.

Coconut Creek HS: Coconut Creek, Fla.

Four years ago, Coconut Creek (Florida) High School was a program that went winless.

Fast forward to 2015 and the Cougars have four prospects who are capturing the attention of recruiters across the nation.

Led by 4-star corner Trayvon Mullen and 4-star receiver Binjimen Victor, the Cougars have a pair of Sunshine State standouts who are highly in demand.

Another pair of prospects to keep an eye on is 3-star corner Malek Young and 3-star linebacker Alexy Jean-Baptiste.

Gulliver Prep HS: Miami, Fla.

According to 247Sports, the University of Miami currently has the nation’s top-rated 2016 class, thanks in part to a trio of commitments who hail from nearby Gulliver Prep High School.

The school that produced former University of Miami All-American safety Sean Taylor has a loaded 2016 group.

Al Golden has landed verbals from 4-star defensive end Joseph Jackson, 4-star receiver Dionte Mullins and 3-star safety Cedrick Wright.

Athlete Dontay Mayfield, corner Brandon Shuman and defensive end Charles Callender are among the other Gulliver Prep products who hold offers from Power Five schools.

IMG Academy: Bradenton, Fla.

IMG has seven prospects rated among the top 25 of 247Sports' list of top recruits from the state of Florida in the 2016 cycle.

A trio of 5-star prospects including defensive end Shavar Manuel, corner Saivion Smith and quarterback Malik Henry lead the way for IMG.

Henry and 4-star tight end Isaac Nauta are committed to Florida State, and 4-star receiver T.J. Chase is a Clemson pledge. 2016 4-star offensive lineman Tyler Gerald is committed to Ohio State.

There’s also some big-time talent waiting in the wings for the Ascenders in the 2017 class, led by 4-star junior offensive lineman Calvin Ashley.

Overall, from top to bottom, IMG is the most loaded prep program heading into the 2015 season.

Manvel HS: Manvel, Texas

Texas is another state that produces its share of recruits on an annual basis.

Houston-area powers such as North Shore High School and Westfield High School are loaded, but it’s Manvel High School—located just south of Houston—that has perhaps the most 2016 talent on hand.

The main attraction at Manvel is 5-star safety Deontay Anderson. However, between 4-star wideout and University of Texas commit Reggie Hemphill-Mapps and 4-star athlete and TCU pledge D’Eriq King, the Mavericks offense has plenty of firepower as well. 

Additionally, 3-star offensive lineman Austin Myers—who is also committed to TCU—gives Manvel a stud in the trenches.

2016 3-star linebacker Jordan Carmouche is another prospect whose offer list is beginning to swell.

Serra HS: Gardena, Calif.

Serra High School has been a pipeline to USC over the years. 

One year after sending decorated defenders such as defensive tackle Rasheem Green and John Houston to the Trojans' program, Serra has another group of rising seniors who are already on the radar of colleges. 

The 2016 crop from Serra is led by 4-star safety Brandon Burton, 4-star defensive back C.J. Pollard, 4-star defensive end Oluwole Betiku, 3-star linebacker Blake Walls and 3-star quarterback Khalil Tate. 

With talent readily flowing through, the Cavaliers' program is poised to be one of the main stops for recruiters on the West Coast.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani