At just 17 years of age, Jake Odey Jordan continues to take the sprinting world by storm. The young British sprinter, who burst onto the global scene in 2024 with a string of eye-catching performances over 200 metres, has announced his commitment to the University of Florida from 2026. The news is equally significant for the Gators, who are clearly intent on building a sprinting dynasty on the NCAA circuit.
Since relocating to the East Coast of the United States, Jake has been turning heads with his rapid rise. In just two years in the sport, he has established himself as one of the most exciting junior talents in world athletics. His blistering 20.55 over 200 metres earned him a bronze medal at the World U20 Championships in Lima, along with silver in the 4x100m relay with Team GB. Naturally, his remarkable trajectory attracted attention from top-tier American universities, but it was Florida that won him over – a programme renowned for its sprinting pedigree and winning culture.
Already crowned Athlete of the Year in Washington D.C., Jake has consistently delivered on the big stage, notably at the prestigious New Balance Nationals, where he claimed titles over 200m both indoors and outdoors, and led his team to victory in the 4x200m relay. It’s an impressive CV for someone still in the early stages of his sprinting journey.
This move represents a new chapter for Jake, who will step into a high-performance environment from 2026, surrounded by some of the best young sprinters in the US collegiate system. The University of Florida – which is also in the running to land 400m prodigy Quincy Wilson is making its intentions clear: Florida wants to dominate NCAA sprinting in the years ahead. The Gainesville-based university already topped the men’s team standings last year and came second in the women’s rankings.
For Jake Odey Jordan, this commitment marks the next phase in what has already been a remarkable journey. In the short term, his sights are set on the U18 and U20 European Championships in 2025, but the long-term vision is even more compelling. By joining one of the most structured and ambitious athletics programmes in the country, he is laying the foundation for his ultimate dream: to shine at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, when he’ll still be only 20 years old.
