“It was an amazing moment.” At the Paris Olympics, we saw a new star shine—Quincy Wilson, the youngest American male track and field Olympian ever. Yup, you heard that right! Not only did he earn that historic title, but he also took on the pivotal leadoff leg for Team USA in the 4×400-meter relay heats. Even though he didn’t get to run in the finals, his efforts still earned him a gold medal for his contribution.
Quincy Wilson, with all the attention he’s garnered at just 16 years old, has a big decision ahead of him regarding whether he will go pro after graduating. It’s exciting to see track and field legends rallying behind him, offering their full support if he decides to take that leap into the professional world. This level of backing could significantly influence his career trajectory!
On a recent episode of Ready Set Go, Rodney Green and Justin Gatlin got into the whole buzz around Quincy Wilson possibly going pro. Rodney didn’t hold back, talking about how tricky it could get for someone as young as Quincy if he made that jump. He mentioned how going from being the top guy in his age group to suddenly facing off with grown pros would be a massive shift—one that could mess with his head a bit. “It’s gonna be really different for somebody like Quincy if he was to turn pro this early… from being first all the time to being in the mix,” he shared.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Rodney made it clear that only a prodigy like Quincy could really understand what that feels like. He also pointed out that the kid could start doubting himself, asking, “Am I good enough? Did I go pro too early?” Rodney also talked about how Quincy’s been winning since he was like 11 or 12—he’s been “the man” for years. But now, at just 16, things would change fast if he went pro. Suddenly, he’d be up against older, more experienced athletes who’ve already been through all that development.
But Rodney wasn’t ruling him out—he pointed out that Quincy could still “beat the odds” and thrive without those struggles. He emphasized the need for a strong support system, including a coach who understands the pressure and an agent to guide him through his early pro years. Rodney kept it real, saying it’s a big leap for a high school kid who hasn’t even left home yet. It’s a “whole different type of giddy up” when you’re still figuring things out, like learning to drive!
Quincy Wilson seems to be navigating his career decisions carefully, with suggestions like Rodney’s offering a strategic approach by first competing in the NCAA. This would give him time to build confidence and experience before making the big leap to a professional career, all while enjoying the support of track and field legends. It’ll be interesting to see how his path unfolds.
Is Quincy Wilson ready to go pro or will he hit the college track?
Some folks are all for Quincy Wilson going pro, while others are rooting for him to take the college route. And it looks like Quincy’s been dropping little breadcrumbs along the way, hinting at a possible NCAA path. He’s been spotted checking out Texas A&M and even posted about the University of Georgia on his social media. But before you get too excited—hold up—he’s not made any official commitments just yet.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Quincy Wilson is clearly keeping his options open as he navigates this pivotal moment in his career. His visits to Texas A&M and the University of Georgia are just the beginning, and it’s likely that we’ll see him exploring more schools before making a final decision. It’s smart for him to take his time, especially with the major opportunities that both college athletics and a potential pro career present.
The buzz around Quincy possibly picking Texas A&M is strong, and it’s not hard to see why. The school was once home to track legend Fred Kerley, who made waves when he broke the 400m record with an impressive 43.70 seconds, surpassing the one Quincy Watts set 25 years earlier. Kerley’s success continued as he won the NCAA Division 1 Championships in 2017 with a stunning time of 44.85 seconds. Quincy, who admires Kerley, might be inspired to follow in his footsteps at Texas A&M. But for now, it’s all up in the air, and only time will tell how it pans out.
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
Debate
Should Quincy Wilson go pro now, or is college the smarter move for his future?
What’s your perspective on:
Should Quincy Wilson go pro now, or is college the smarter move for his future?
Have an interesting take?