When Quincy Wilson stepped onto the tracks at the Paris 2024 Olympics, he made history as the youngest U.S. Olympian to earn a place on the roster. Not stopping there, he helped clinch gold in the 4x400m relay. But for this rising star, the journey is still just beginning. Multiple top universities are already vying for him, and while some may call it a rush, one seasoned track coach insists Quincy’s next move could set him and his future team on a winning path.

On October 2, Wilson took to his Instagram handle to upload a post with LSU icons Vernon Norwood and Bennie Brazell, both flashing the classic “L” for Louisiana State University. In the caption, Wilson wrote, “Thank you, Coach Bennie and [Vernon Norwood] for coming to talk to my family and me about what LSU has to offer! #GeauxTigers #NotCommitted.” Weeks later, Coach Rob stepped forward to shed light on why every major university wanted him,

“All the big-name schools have taken a shot at it, whether it was Florida, Texas Tech, Tennessee, South Carolina, for that matter, Georgia— all of them want a piece of Quincy, specifically to run on their team. And if they have any NIL money at all to give a track and field athlete, which many schools don’t, but if they do, they’re definitely going to give it to him.” So far, Wilson has toured several top college programs, including the University of South Carolina, the University of Maryland, Texas Tech, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and the University of Florida. And well, why wouldn’t they all want him?

At just 17, Wilson has already asserted his dominance. Back in July, he ran a stunning 44.10 to stand atop the podium at the Ed Murphey Classic in Memphis. That finish was a personal improvement from his own previous mark of 44.20 seconds (set in July 2024) to become the fastest under-18 athlete in 400m. But it was also the fourth time he broke the under-18 400m world record.

The field included Olympic and World Championship relay medalists Bryce Deadmon and Elija Godwin, both of whom the teenager managed to beat. Running from lane five, Wilson exploded off the blocks and was up on Bahamian Olympic champion Steven Gardiner’s shoulder by the 80m mark before Gardiner pulled up. And now, his time placed him second on the all-time under-20 list, behind only 1988 Olympic champion Steve Lewis, and made him the youngest to account for six of the top ten fastest 400m runs ever recorded by an under-18 athlete.

The achievements continued indoors in 2024–25, as he set a 45.66-second under-18 indoor 400m world record at the New Balance Grand Prix and anchored a national record-breaking 4x400m relay team. He also became the first athlete to clock a sub-46-second 400m indoors before turning 18 and later anchored Bullis School to multiple national high school relay records, including a Penn Relays mark that had stood for 40 years, splitting an astonishing 43.99 seconds on the anchor leg.

Furthermore, in October 2024, he was named the 2024 High School Boys Athlete of the Year by Track & Field. Wilson’s performance keeps soaring, and Rob confirms his overall rating at 99 for the class of 2026, adding that he doesn’t see anyone close to challenging his dominance anytime soon. “Wilson in the 400 right now has already put down times that nobody in college was able to run last year. Just let that sink in for a moment. We are talking about his personal best, or for that matter last year’s season best,” said the athlete.

He further added, “Quincy Wilson is ready for the big time. All the comments people have about his form, what he might need to do— that might be true, but if you’re a college coach, you’re not worried about that. Quincy Wilson comes in and changes the game the moment he shows up on campus.” 

Wilson considers Vernon Norwood one of his mentors, and having Norwood personally approach him about joining the LSU Tigers is a big deal. Norwood himself captained Team USA at the upcoming 2025 World Athletics Championships and remains one of LSU’s most decorated alumni, making his involvement even more meaningful for the young sprinter. While there’s a high probability he might follow in his footsteps, he hasn’t made any decision yet and is currently focusing on coaching young athletes.

Quincy Wilson takes the duty of a coach before his next shot

Wilson recently took to Instagram in collaboration with The Armory and Runnerspace to drop major news that he’s officially back! Not to race this time, but to guide as a mentor on the track. “Coach Quincy Wilson is back! ⚡ Sprint sensation Quincy Wilson is LOCKED IN 🔒 for the Armory Camp!” read the post. “Sign up today to train with one of track & field’s brightest young stars on November 16th⭐️ and see what it takes to become a GOAT in the sport. Register TODAY! Space is limited, click the link in bio!”

Well, Wilson’s bond with New York’s famed track hub is nothing new. He was part of it back when he was just starting his career, and he continues to compete in events hosted there. At the 116th Millrose Games, he stunned spectators by smashing the sophomore class record with an electrifying 1:17.36 in the Boys 600 meters (Junior), the second-fastest high school mark ever recorded.

Earlier that January, he had already made noise at the Armory Officials Hall of Fame Invitational, finishing runner-up in the 300 meters with an impressive 33.12. Well, this will be the second time the young athlete steps into the shoes of a coach; the first was in the fall of 2024 at the Nike Track & Field Center in Washington Heights.

Although he narrowly missed qualifying for the U.S. team for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Wilson’s season still stood out as one of the best by a high school athlete in history. His ability to consistently compete with and even defeat professional runners at just 17 further goes on to show why every NCAA powerhouse wants him on its roster.

And when it comes to his NCAA decision, Wilson is visiting multiple universities before he makes his final choice. But whichever program the 17-year-old goes for, the winning chances of that NCAA program would certainly increase, don’t you think?