Quincy Wilson, the youngest track and field athlete to win Olympic Gold from the USA, is the guy in high school track and field. Like, the absolute golden boy. When he ran 44.20s at the Holloway Pro Classic last year to set a new U18 record, many predicted the illustrious career he appeared so poised to have. College scouts have been practically falling over themselves for him. In 2023, the 17-year-old became one of the youngest athletes to sign an NIL deal with New Balance. But lately, things have not been the best for him. He’s had a few unexpected losses, and now people are starting to whisper: Is Quincy still the untouchable recruit everyone thought?

Well, Coach Rob lays it all out there in a recent YouTube video. No sugarcoating anything. “When it comes to the highest level, going back to the SEC, they don’t even want to just see you go fast anymore. They want to know the context,” he said, explaining why Quincy is still a cut above. “That’s why Quincy Wilson is a 99 overall rating—because everybody is aware of the context. I’m going to tell you his context: Olympic Trials, that’s his context. Florida Relays, that’s the context.” His point is pretty clear: Quincy isn’t just racing random people at small meets. Every time is a huge test, full of “big-time athletes” where he’s either winning or going head-to-head with the very best. “Quincy Wilson either wins or is right there,” the Rob insisted. “If you are not one of the best of the best, you ain’t gonna beat him.” But the big question is, does that “context” weigh enough with college recruiters?

Let’s be real, Rob doesn’t pretend Quincy isn’t facing intense scrutiny. “Quincy Wilson is human. He is still a teenager,” he admitted, which is a good reminder that even phenoms have off days. “I grade him very differently now because once you go out there with the pros, we do have to acknowledge that you are in a different situation.” Those losses – to athletes who are “about as good as you’re ever going to see at the high school level” – don’t wipe away his brilliance, but they do add a bit of complexity to his story. The coach is still standing firm: “Quincy Wilson is still as good as it’s going to get at the high school level.” Still, when every race feels like a judgment on your potential, how much room is there really to mess up?

Wilson has had quite a bumpy season

Starting the season, Quincy Wilson faced a devastating loss at the hands of Andrew Salvodon at the VA Showcase. Salvodon. Not only did Salvodon defeat the Olympic medalist, but also he broke the national record in the 500m dash event! Days later, he hit another major hurdle, finishing fourth in the Millrose Games, with Will Sumner taking the first place with 1:14.04. But there was more coming for him. 

At the 2025 Pepsi Florida Relays, Bullis School finished second at 3:09.97, just behind Miami Northwestern. It was far from a good look for the young Olympian as the anchor for Bullis.  For a star who’s always winning, or at least is up there with the pros, are these losses a sign of weakness, or is he just a teenager hitting a rough patch?

So, What’s Next?

For fans, watching Quincy’s journey is pretty compelling – it’s this mix of unbelievable natural talent and the tough reality of growing up in the spotlight. While a few losses here and there don’t define your whole career, especially when you’re constantly swimming in the deep end. But yeah, the college recruitment game is brutal. Schools want athletes who can handle the heat, and Quincy’s recent results have definitely given them something to chew on. The good news? He’s still got time. At 17, he’s younger than most of the guys he’s competing against, and upcoming meets like could be his moment to shut down the doubters. As the track world waits for his next race, you just have to wonder: Can Quincy Wilson use these setbacks to fuel an even bigger comeback?