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Texas OLB JaQwondis Burns to play senior season at IMG Academy

It has been anything but a drama-free summer for JaQwondis Burns, who transferred from Terrell (Texas) High School to Dallas (Texas) Skyline in the springtime ahead of his senior season only to be ruled ineligible earlier this month by the District 86A executive committee.

Burns has since found a new home for his final season of high school football.

The three-star outside linebacker and Ole Miss commitment will suit up for IMG Academy (Fla.), he tells Rivals.com.

"It's definitely different, but it's a great opportunity and I'm all for opportunities," Burns told Rivals. "Being ruled ineligible, it was real hurtful. Having to go through it all, it was a tough situation. I felt like they took something away from me that I earned, but I'm glad just to have this opportunity."

"I'm going to miss Friday nights in Texas a lot," he added. "There's nothing like Texas football."

As he braced for his senior season, Burns ranks as the No. 36 outside linebacker in the country and the No. 70 prospect from Texas.

IMG Academy will be the third school that Burns has been enrolled in over the past six months and the first time he'll be living outside his home state. After the District 86A execute committee ruled him ineligible, he had the opportunity to return to Terrell High School. However, Burns improved his GPA during his spring semester at Skyline, which opened up the door to attend IMG.

The Skyline staff reached out to IMG Academy about Burns, which ultimately presented the best opportunity for his future.

"Training at an elite level ... actually getting firsthand experience of college, working out an elite level with elite coaches, that's what I'm mainly excited for," Burns said. "

Burns gave a commitment to Ole Miss at the tail end of April as his recruitment began to take off. He picked the Rebels over offers from Arizona, Kansas, Louisville, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Utah, and interest from Texas A&M and Florida, among others.

Burns visited The Grove and connected with Coach Jeff Koontz and current Rebel Tavario Standifer. That relationship has continued to blossom into the summer as Burns has kept the Ole Miss staff abreast of his current situation throughout.

"I definitely expect some more looks and (interests) from even bigger schools, but we'll have to see," Burns said. "I talked with Coach Koonz and as soon as I was ruled ineligible, I let him know. He said as long as my classes match with the college, it's a good move. I'm solid with them."

At IMG Academy, Burns will be on track to be a mid-year graduate and enroll at Ole Miss in January.

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