Four-star LB DQ Forkpa transfers to St. Frances Academy (Md.)

One of the top remaining uncommitted 2026 linebackers is moving once more ahead of the 2025 high school football season.

Four-star linebacker DQ Forkpa has transferred from IMG Academy (Fla.) to St. Frances Academy (Md.), according to Rivals Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons. Forkpa had transferred into IMG back in early January from Mill Creek (Ga.) after the 2024 season.

Last season at Mill Creek, Forkpa had his season cut short due to injuries but still was able to rack up 22 tackles, two tackles for loss, and three pass deflections in six games.

The rangy 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker has a load of Power 4 level offers on the table, including from schools like Florida, Florida State, Miami (FL), Michigan, North Carolina, Colorado, Baylor, Clemson, Duke, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and UCF.

The four-star heads to a St. Frances Academy squad that is one of the best teams in the country and will be a viable contender for the all mythical championship in 2025. The Panthers have one of the nation’s top front seven units already, led by 2026 five-star Maryland commit Zion Elee and 2026 three-star Syracuse commitment Maurice Medley.

St. Frances Academy opens up their national slate of games on Aug. 23rd in a nationally televised tilt against Chaminade-Madonna at the Broward County Classic High School Football Showcase played at St. Thomas Aquinas. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.

Forkpa is the latest player to exit the IMG Academy national football program as of late, with 2027 four-star running back Tranard Roberts announcing back in late July that he was leaving the Ascenders for The Villages Charter School (Fla.).

Roberts last season for IMG carried the rock 42 times for 300 yards and found the endzone four times. IMG Academy’s national team finished last season with a 7-2 overall record.

The Ascenders are heading into their first season under the watch of former Ohio State offensive line coach Greg Studrawa. IMG Academy will be tested right out of the gates on Aug. 15 when they travel to Orlando to face The First Academy.