IMG for Atlanta is bullshit if allowed. They are a pay-to-play school focused on professional development. Any kid there is practically top caliber. It's also where the US residency program is based. No team should get to use them as a homegrown funnel.
No one in the US Residency program can be a homegrown player. No one that is on a US Youth NT that is unaffiliated can be a homegrown player. All players in those two situations would be placed on the allocation list when they turn 18 or graduate from the program.
Playing for an affiliate club does not qualify you for homegrown status unless that club is under the direct technical control from the MLS club. Atlanta was able to do this with Georgia United in 2015 which is why they were able to sign Andrew Carlton as a HGP while we were not able to do the same with Jack Harrison.
The kid from Georgia from IMG is not affiliated with Atlanta United or Georgia United but Jackson Conway is.