January 3, 2024, may have been the best thing that happened to the Arkansas men’s track and field team. Why, you ask? Well, Jordan Anthony decided to be a Razorback. Having spent time at Kentucky and Texas A&M, he wrote in an Instagram post, “I would like to announce I will be attending the University of Arkansas for my last 3 years of eligibility. I want to thank Arkansas & Coach Petrino for taking a chance on me in the portal. GO WOOPIGS!!” However, the debut season didn’t see much of track Anthony as he focused on football. He skipped the outdoor season while running NCAA prelims of the 60m indoors. Now, fast forward to 2025, the man won both indoor and outdoor NCAA titles. He excelled so greatly in track and field during the 2025 season that by the end of it, he had moved far beyond college—and perhaps football as well. What does this mean?

“10.07, and Jordan Anthony, the lone Razorback in this 100-meter final, repeats his victory from the SEC meet a month ago in Kentucky,” with these words from the commentator everybody who might not have had their eyes on the NCAA 100 meters final knew that the 20-year-old would go home today with the NCAA crown. Coming out of Lane 9, he clocked a time of 10.7 seconds to finish ahead of Max Thomas (10.091) and Jelani Watkins (10.092). However, what nobody else saw coming was his next career move.

He took to his Instagram on June 14, 2025, to make an announcement via a post, the caption of which read, “Dear Mom TT and Dad, thank you for sacrificing everything for me🫶🏽 and to Tylertown and Arkansas.” He was born in California to Carvah Magee and the late Robert Jones, and raised in Tylertown, Mississippi. His father, Robert, passed away in his senior year before he committed to the University of Kentucky in 2022. He further wrote, “This moment of reflection and sorrow, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the communities that helped shape me. Thank you for accepting me, for welcoming me with open arms and for nurturing me through the many seasons of life.”

Continuing, he wrote, “It is in your streets, your churches, your schools, and your people that I found not just a home, but a sense of belonging. You taught me the values of strength, humility, and perseverance. You raised me to be the man I am today, and for that I am forever grateful. As we mourn and remember those we’ve lost, I carry with me the love, the lessons, and the legacy of the places and people who made me who I am. Your warmth, your wisdom, and your unwavering support will always be a part of me. With that being said I will be forgoing my collegiate career and turning pro. Thank you. JA out.” 

Now, there were speculations about what he would do after his 100-meter NCAA title. There were debates about whether he would go for more football or stick to track and field. Going pro was a distant debate that rarely had the weight, but when the decision came from the 20-year-old, it left a lot of people shocked.

Fans were left jaw-dropped by Jordan Anthony’s update

One of the fans asked a question he knew the answer too, “Damn so no football??” Now that Jordan has aced his 2025 track and field season and is turning pro in the sport, he’ll have to let go of his football career. Looking at his football performance in 2024, Jordan Anthony played all 12 games for Arkansas, logging 8 catches for 111 yards and his first career touchdown. But perhaps turning pro in track and field is the right decision because, like this other fan said, “It makes sense especially since he’s running good right now.” 

In 2025, Jordan Anthony hit several major milestones in track and field. He set an Arkansas record with a 6.47 s in 60 m at NCAA Indoors, then won the national title in 6.49 s. For Outdoors, he ran his first legal sub-10 with a 9.98 s at Mt. SAC, won SEC titles in both the 100 m (9.95 s) and 200 m (19.93 s), and tied Andre De Grasse’s all-conditions collegiate mark with a wind-aided 9.75 s. Further, he closed the season by winning the NCAA Outdoor 100 m title.

But there are still fans wondering if this is the right decision, saying, “I don’t know if this is the right move. Best of luck to him.” The fear is legitimate because over the years, there have been many track and field athletes who have rushed the decision to turn pro and have not been able to perform up to the hype. Now, with the decision to let go of his collegiate career, the track and field fans are already speculating on where the man could race next.

One fan commented, “DAMN COULDA BEEN AT THE GRAND SLAM. Next year tho.” The final slam of the Grand Slam Track has been canceled due to economic reasons. Had Jordan Anthony turned pro, he could have been a great addition alongside the likes of Kenny Bednarek. Maybe next year, when the slam returns. Another fan asked, “You running at USA trials???”

The 2025 World Athletics Championships are scheduled in Tokyo from September 13–21, 2025. The 2025 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships will serve as the Trials to select the U.S. Team. It is scheduled to take place at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, from July 31 to August 3, 2025. We sure do hope that wherever the 20-year-old goes from here, he only sees success.