FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas will head into the 2025-26 season without one of their most electrifying athletes.
Jordan Anthony, a standout sprinter and wide receiver, announced Saturday that he will forgo his remaining college eligibility to pursue a professional track career, having already signed with Adidas.
Anthony, who transferred to the Razorbacks last year after stints at Kentucky and Texas A&M, made his decision public just one day after capturing the NCAA outdoor 100-meter title in Eugene, Ore.
He clocked a blistering 10.07 seconds to secure the win and helped the Hogs finish third in the team standings.
Anthony also placed fourth in the 200 meters (20.01) and anchored the Razorbacks’ 4×100-meter relay team to a bronze medal.
“Jordan’s a special athlete. He’s got a huge career ahead of him,” Arkansas men’s track coach Chris Bucknam said after the NCAA championships. “What a great competitor, in really a new sport for him that he hasn’t gone this deep [in] since he’s been in college. He did a phenomenal job. I’m really, really proud of him.”
Anthony’s path to professional track wasn’t always clear.
As a high schooler in Tylertown, Miss., he split his time between football and the track, bringing that dual-sport talent to the SEC.
At Kentucky, he was a promising wideout and relay sprinter, later making brief stops at Texas A&M and Arkansas before focusing on the Razorbacks’ track program.
His impact on the Razorbacks’ record books was immediate.
Anthony set school marks in the 100 meters (9.95) and 60 meters (6.47), and ranks second all-time for the Hogs in the outdoor 200 meters (19.93). He captured the 2024 indoor 60-meter NCAA title as well, cementing his place as one of the program’s fastest-ever athletes.
“Jordan has always been a worker, ever since his high school days,” said Tylertown High coach Marcus Rogers in an interview with the Clarion Ledger. “He’s never been satisfied, and I think that’s why he’s able to take this leap now.”
On the gridiron, Anthony’s contributions were modest but promising.
He appeared in 12 games for Arkansas last season, notching 8 receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. He skipped spring football drills this year to focus on the outdoor track season, a decision that hinted at where his priorities were shifting.
In a heartfelt social media post, Anthony thanked the communities and coaches who helped shape him.
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the communities that helped shaped me. Thank you for accepting me, for welcoming me with open arms and for nurturing me through the many seasons of life.”
His move to sign with Adidas, announced in May, puts him alongside some of the world’s fastest athletes and sets the stage for professional meets across the globe.
Arkansas track has produced its share of Olympians and world champions, and Anthony now aims to add his name to that legacy. If he continues his current trajectory, he could contend for a spot on Team USA at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
NCAA athletes turning pro before exhausting eligibility is hardly new, especially after NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) reforms and growing commercial opportunities.
Yet Anthony’s case stands out for the sheer speed of his ascent and the rare crossover from Division I football to world-class track.
“He’s a generational athlete,” said veteran Arkansas track analyst Larry Foley for HawgSportsLive. “When you run sub-10 in the 100 and anchor a relay at this level, you’re in the conversation with the best. His choice to go pro is the right move at the right time.”
Anthony leaves Arkansas with records, championships, and a reputation for humility and work ethic.
“I’m just excited about his future,” Bucknam said. “That’s what it’s all about—elevating our athletes and getting them to the next level.”
As Anthony shifts his focus to the pro circuit, the Razorbacks will look to fill the void, but his impact on the program is secure. The next chapter of his career begins at full speed.
