At just 16, Quincy Wilson is already reaching heights in track and field that most athletes spend decades trying to achieve. Since becoming the youngest male American athlete to snag an Olympic gold medal, he’s been in the spotlight. Days ago, he breezed past Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder in a 40-yard dash, finishing in a cool 4.86 seconds. He even got star-struck meeting hip-hop legend Jay-Z, thanks to ESPN’s Ryan Clark. But it looks like managing his dual life might be catching up with him.

On his X account, Quincy shared amid the Paris Olympics, “Dang, I really got school in 2 and a half weeks.” Then later, he even shared the challenge of juggling summer reading with competing at the highest level. Now that vacation is over and school is back on the horizon, fans are left wondering: Is all this effort to balance two worlds worth it? What’s next for Quincy—will he continue to juggle both or make a bold move?

In a recent Reddit discussion on r/trackandfield, users debated the future of Bullis School track and field star Quincy Wilson, who has already set under-18 world records for both the indoor and outdoor 400-meter dash. The central question was: “The Quincy Wilson Dilemma: Should he stay in high school, go to college, or turn pro?”

In a general discussion post, Mrdynamo18 shared their thoughts on Quincy Wilson’s track and field future, arguing that he should turn pro. The user pointed out that Quincy is consistently running 400 meters in 44 to 45 seconds, making high school competition too easy for him. Mrdynamo18 suggested that Quincy should sign a shoe contract, have the sponsor cover his college education online, and focus on homeschooling while competing in elite international events like the U-20 Championships, Pan Am Games, NACAC Championships, and Worlds.

The account further expressed concern about collegiate track programs, believing they overwork athletes with too many races that can shock and exhaust the central nervous system, citing examples like Britton Wilson, and Abby Steiner. Mrdynamo18 also mentioned that Allyson Felix had advised Sydney McLaughlin-Leverone to turn pro early, which worked out well for her. They concluded that Quincy should go pro now, as they believe this will only help him improve, and that he should continue training with his current coach.

If Quincy Wilson decides to skip his collegiate career and turn pro, he wouldn’t be the first male prodigy to make such a decision. Reigning 100m Olympic champion Noah Lyles also made a similar choice. Noah initially committed to competing for the University of Florida at 19, and his younger brother, Josephus, who was 18 at the time, opted to turn professional instead. In July 2016, they both signed contracts with Adidas, bypassing collegiate competition to focus on their professional careers.

Thus, Quincy Wilson finds himself at a crossroads. Should he stay in high school, finish his education, and take advantage of name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities? Or should he go pro and focus on honing his craft for the next Olympics? Track and field fans are divided!

Should Quincy Wilson go to school or turn pro? Track and field fans give their verdict

In the ongoing debate about Quincy Wilson’s future, opinions are as varied as his sprint times. One user weighed in with a word of caution: “Finish HS. He could get injured and be screwed if he leaves school. Would be a good idea to go to college too but run pro at the same time.” This sentiment was echoed by another user, who suggested, “Stay in High School. If he can utilize the NIL component then use it. Track isn’t the highest paying sport as we know so I would advise a backup plan using schooling or something.”

However, it’s worth noting that Wilson has already signed a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with New Balance, making history as “one of the youngest high school athletes to sign an NIL deal with a major sportswear company.” This deal could provide him with a strong financial foundation while he decides whether to stay in high school, college or become a professional.

However, the main post’s uploader wasn’t convinced. They responded, “I hear ya however he’s locked in. I don’t think he has any interest in college especially after he ran 44.20 I’m not sure if he competes in high school anymore. However if he makes the team next year just go pro.” But not everyone was on board with this view. Another user emphasized the value of a collegiate career, pointing out that NCAA Division 1 is often considered the best place to refine racing skills.

NCAA championships are rated higher than U20 international events by World Athletics, so the fan shared, “The cost of living would be essentially completely paid for the whole time he’s there. He can compete internationally still. He would get a degree that could both help his track career and help him post-track because track and field athletes do not get paid that well. There is no reason to not go to college other than ego.”

On the other hand, some users advocate for turning pro. They argued that world-class talent often doesn’t need college to develop, suggesting that for someone running at a pro level, college may offer little additional benefit. So one person shared, “Everyone looking at NIL has it wrong. Windows in professional track are very small and can get derailed easily. It’s penny wise and pound foolish. He absolutely should go pro and get the best coach he can and a training environment that is all about his development.”

So, with such a range of opinions, the big question remains: Will Quincy Wilson stay in high school and leverage NIL, head to college to refine his skills, or jump straight into the professional arena? What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!