Every championship meet has its favorite. But what about the one who isn’t supposed to win? The one who’s been doubted all season, overlooked, underestimated, until suddenly, he’s not. That was the vibe at the 2025 SEC Outdoor Championships. Arkansas was doing what Arkansas does best, locking down their 24th men’s outdoor title with a massive 98.5-point total. But the meet didn’t belong to the Razorbacks as a team. It belonged to a 20-year-old track and field star who decided it was finally his time.

That name? Jordan Anthony. The young track and field star who many had written off after a rocky indoor season. missed finals, tough breaks, and critics quick to say he was just a 60m guy. But this weekend in Fayetteville, he blew the doors off the narrative. First, he ran a wind-legal 9.95 in the 100m, setting a new school record and clocking the third-fastest time of 2025 across both college and pro levels.

Then, just hours later, he stormed through the 200m final in 19.93, beating out Auburn’s Makanakaishe Charamba (20.08) and LSU’s Jaiden Reid (20.15). Two races. Two wins. Two giant middle fingers to the doubt. And just like that, this “short-distance guy” conquered the curve, something his critics claimed he couldn’t do. This wasn’t just redemption. It was a reintroduction. Jordan is also the reigning NCAA indoor champion in the 60m, and now, with SEC titles under his belt, he’s officially on Olympic watch.

But here’s the twist: track might not be his final stop. He’s also got his sights on a career in pro football, and that has got fans and coaches buzzing. As track and field Coach Rob said in his now-viral YouTube video, “Jordan Anthony of Arkansas is not just one of the fastest men in college; he’s also the fastest man in football. And they didn’t even give him a 99 overall rating on College Football 25! But I’m expecting that to change when 26 comes out — just saying.”

 Now the track world is holding its breath. Will it be Olympic gold? NFL Sundays? Or somehow both? What’s certain is that 2025 now has a face. As Coach Rob said again, and honestly, we’re all thinking it. “He is looking a lot like the fastest man in college right now.” And he earned every bit of it the hard way. So now, the track and field world is kind of freaking out. What if they lose him to football? Fans are debating it everywhere.

Track and field can’t stop talking about Jordan Anthony’s next move

One concerned fan perfectly captured the buzz around Jordan Anthony, saying, “Jordan Anthony seems scary for the future. His strides are so effortless and cover a lot of ground.” And honestly, that sums it up. Watching him run, it’s clear why his medals say so much. His smooth, powerful strides make it look like he’s barely pushing himself, yet he’s blazing past competitors with ease.

It’s no surprise he’s been recognized as the 2023 USTFCCCA Indoor Southeast Region Men’s Track Athlete of the Year and has earned multiple silver medals in top competitions like the SEC and NCAA Indoor Championships. As a freshman in 2023, Jordan shattered records and steadily climbed the ranks. Outdoors, he broke the UK Freshman record with a 10.16 in the 100m and helped lead his relay teams to impressive finishes, including a 6th-best all-time UK relay performance.

Indoors, he continued to dominate, setting a freshman record in the 60m and placing second on the UK all-time list with a 6.57. His steady improvement and impressive medal haul highlight a bright future ahead, one that’s worth watching closely. One more track and field fan said it best: “I still believe that Jordan Anthony should continue to focus on track and go pro in it. Sub-10s & sub-20s are putting him in elite territory, for both college and the pros, and he’s only a sophomore. I get it, there’s way more money in football, but I would hate to see a potential future Olympic athlete like him waste away on the bench in the NFL or be out of it within 3 years.”

It’s no surprise that folks say, “Jordan Anthony was a good HS runner, so it was only a matter of time.” He’s got big dreams, too, aiming to be both a professional football player and an Olympian in 10 years. What keeps him grinding? Everything he learned from his late dad, who passed away in 2021. With all that talent, heart, and personality, Jordan Anthony’s future looks electric, on and off the track.

One more track and field fan hit the nail on the head about Jordan Anthony’s tricky year ahead: “Jordan Anthony will run at the US trials this year for the World Championships, but football season will already be underway by then in Japan. Like you said, track and field checks don’t compare to NFL checks, even for the best. Although one year of grand slam track wins sounds pretty sweet without the crazy injury risk of pro football.”

It’s a real crossroads for Jordan; his speed could take him on the track, but the NFL’s cash and spotlight are tempting. Another fan pointed out, “The kid from Arkansas is a new star, and he is only a sophomore. If this were a Caribbean or African athlete, you’d be singing their praises.” Honestly, his talent speaks for itself, even if he’s not getting all the hype he deserves just yet. On the football side, Jordan’s been making moves as a redshirt sophomore wide receiver at Texas A&M.

He was a four-star recruit back in high school, leading Tylertown HS to a 12-1 season with 13 touchdowns, so the skills are there. But his track career? That’s something else. At Kentucky, he shattered freshman records in the 60m and 100m, grabbed silver medals at SEC and NCAA Indoors, and even snagged the U-20 National Track title in the 200m. So yeah, whether he’s sprinting down the field or chasing glory on the track, Jordan Anthony’s got a bright future ahead, and it’s going to be exciting to see which path he takes.