Michael Johnson seems to be at the center of everything track and field right now. From revolutionizing the track world with his Grand Slam Track to having verbal duels with the likes of Noah Lyles, he’s having it all. But now he is in the limelight for something new. The Olympic legend was recently asked about who he thinks will be the next big thing for 2025. But unlike anyone expected, it isn’t anyone like Julien Alfred or Sha’Carri Richardson. Instead, he has his bets on a dark horse. So who is she?

Well, he isn’t just betting on anyone—he’s backing Melissa Jefferson. To those who don’t know who Melissa is, she was the Bronze medalist at women’s 100m at Paris 2024. Not to mention she also holds the gold for the 4×100 relays at the Olympics as well as the World Relays. Let’s not forget she is also one of the fastest women on the planet and is a frontrunner for the upcoming Grand Slam Track. The mastermind is the most excited himself. He claimed, “Melissa is a superb athlete, and quite clearly one of the fastest women in the world.”

We are sure some people might have doubts over this. But with a 100m best of 10.80 seconds and a 200m personal best of 22.46 seconds, she’s got all the receipts on her.  Oh, and in case that wasn’t enough? She’s also training alongside Sha’Carri Richardson. Fast forward to Johnson’s recent chat with CITIUS MAG on YouTube, where Chris Chavez threw him a simple but loaded question: Which female athlete is flying under the radar but could break out in 2025? Without missing a beat, Johnson went straight to Jefferson.

“I think Melissa Jefferson—I know Melissa was not 100% last year when she went over to train in Dennis Mitchell’s camp. She had been coming off some injuries and things, and I think she just wasn’t near where she’s capable of being,” he explained. Even so, she still snagged a 100-meter bronze medal. That kind of resilience? Michael Johnson sees something big coming.

And honestly? He might be onto something. Jefferson’s got the talent, the experience, and now, the backing of one of track’s greatest minds. But what led her to join Dennis Mitchell’s training group in the first place?

Michael Johnson might be right! Jefferson’s success proves she’s onto something huge

Melissa Jefferson’s decision to join Dennis Mitchell’s Star Athletics club in Florida last year paid off big time. After struggling to break 11 seconds in 2023, she managed to do it seven times in 2024. This included her final six 100-meter races in a row. The result? An Olympic bronze in the 100m with a time of 10.92 and a gold as part of Team USA’s 4x100m relay.

While she’s been mostly focused on the 100m since turning pro, Jefferson’s got some serious speed in the 200m as well. In fact, with a 22-second PB for the 200m, which she set in college, Jefferson is packing some serious heat. But after the Paris Olympics, Jefferson shocked everyone by announcing a break from track for the 2024 season.

After skipping the Zurich Diamond League, she confirmed the news with a heartfelt message to fans: “And with that, the 2024 season has come to an end! To all my supporters, thank you, thank you, thank you. See y’all good folks in 2025.”  But the road to the Olympics wasn’t easy for Jefferson. She faced injuries, a major training switch, and tough rehab days where she could barely run at all. But she pushed through, keeping her mind focused on the bigger picture—making the U.S. team for the Games.

Looking back, Jefferson says the journey wasn’t linear, but when the time came, she trusted the work she had put in, and it paid off. She made the Olympic team, earned a bronze in the 100m, and got a gold in the relay. Now, with 2025 ahead, everyone’s wondering: What’s next? With her talent, there’s no doubt that she’s just getting started, and it seems Michael Johnson’s words might come true!