Audio By Carbonatix
Quincy Wilson became something of a household name as one of the fastest-rising track and field stars at the Paris Olympics last summer. However, it appears as though the 17-year-old could use a break from running after he got run down by Illinois football signee Tywan Cox over the weekend.
This is not to discredit the impressive and extremely intelligent run from the future Illini defensive back, but his opponent looked gassed.
Wilson burst onto the track and field scene as a 16-year-old last year. The Virginia-native broke his own world record three times in 60 days prior to the Olympics. He also helped Team USA to win the 4×400 relay during the qualifying rounds before he returned back home to begin his senior year of high school.
His last eight months have been exhausting. Not only does Wilson compete for the Bullis School at all of the major high school meets, he often travels on the weekends to run in events like the New Balance Nationals, Millrose Games, as well as various Grand Prixs and Showcases.
The grueling schedule might’ve caught up with him — literally — at the Florida Relays.
Wilson made his outdoor debut on Friday in the 400-meter. He tied the No. 1 mark in the United States with a time of 45.27. Cox finished second at 46.29.
Wilson also ran in the 200-meter and both relays. It was race after race after race after race.
Now, to be fair, Cox also ran in every event offered to him. They both ran similar schedules. However, Cox is just now getting his track and field season underway after winning a high school football championship at Miami Northwestern with head coach Teddy Bridgewater. Wilson has been running pretty much non-stop since this time last year.
The fatigue appeared to catch up with him during the final leg of the 4×400-meter relay. Cox actually received the baton before Wilson, but Wilson jumped out in front while Cox trailed close behind. They were neck-and-neck on the final turn. And then it was on!
Cox took off down the final stretch. He beat Wilson by a pretty large margin.
Tywan. Cox.
— MileSplit US (@milesplit) April 5, 2025
That’s it. That’s the tweet. pic.twitter.com/6t0qwyGrll
Here is how it looked from the stands:
Here’s another look:
I hesitate to say that Tywan Cox “walked down” or “hawked down” or “ran down” Quincy Wilson because that is not necessarily an accurate representation of the race. However, Cox was behind Wilson on the first straightaway and came back to win. That is impressive no matter how you label it.
Cox is rated as a three-star prospect in the college football recruiting Class of 2025. He committed to Illinois over 20 other offers from schools like South Florida, Syracuse, Florida Atlantic, Nebraska, Miami, UNLV, Liberty and Vanderbilt and signed with the program in December. Bret Bielema is going to LOVE the speed he brings to the defense!