For years, Noah Lyles has been billed as the future, the charismatic face of American sprinting. A 200m world champion, a 9.79 man over 100m, and the guy expected to keep the U.S. sprint dynasty alive.
But as the 2025 season heats up, Lyles has raced in few 100m events. Meanwhile, the once-untouchable Christian Coleman is racking up more losses than wins. And while Kenny Bednarek dropped a world-leading 9.86, questions remain whether the old guard is still untouchable.
In a recent episode of the Track World News podcast, Noah Williams a 400m specialist, delivered a hot take so bold it shook the U.S. sprinting scene:
“No one in the USA right now is capable of going sub-9.8.”
And it wasn’t just empty talk. Williams already has his eye on a young phenom who might just flip the whole script.
The New Sprint Prodigy
At just 20 years old, Jordan Anthony is quietly rewriting the sprint narrative. The University of Arkansas sophomore sent shockwaves through the track world on March 31st at the NCAA West First Round in College Station, Texas. With a windy 9.75 (+2.1 m/s), Anthony obliterated the field by a staggering 0.16 seconds.
If that wind reading had been just 0.1 m/s lower, Anthony would have clocked 9.79, tying Noah Lyles’ personal best and entering rarefied air as one of the top six fastest humans ever. For a college sophomore. On a track Williams himself called “not the fastest.”
Williams couldn’t contain his excitement.
“Jordan Anthony really quickly—he ran a 9.75 with a 2.1 wind, right? I’ve run on that track; it’s not like the fastest track, no problem… his talent level is better than 95% of the field that’s going to be at USA’s,” Williams declared.
Then came the line that turned heads.
“A prime Christian Coleman was, but not in 2025. A prime Fred Kerley can do that, but not in 2025.”
Waitzman’s Reality Check
But not everyone’s sold on this anointment. Williams’ podcast co-host Colin Waitzman wasn’t about to let that hot take slide unchecked.
“When it comes to the USA, that’s different when you’re lining up against these guys that you’ve never, you know, these pros you haven’t gone up against yet.” Waitzman argued.
Waitzman pointed to Trayvon Bromell, another proven name in the sprint conversation.
“I just don’t see how Trayvon isn’t going to, he’s at least making the team in my opinion. I don’t think there’s any way I don’t see three people beating Trayvon in the hundred in the USA.”
And just days before this debate, Bromell backed that up by dropping a world-leading 9.84 at the Rome Diamond League, casually dusting a stacked lineup including Emmanuel Eseme (9.99), Ferdinand Omanyala (10.01), and even Fred Kerley (10.05).
Who’s Really America’s Fastest Man Right Now?
Noah Lyles has the fastest personal best (9.79) of the current crop, but has stepped on few 100m track this season.
Fred Kerley, once the USA’s brightest hope, clocked a solid but uninspiring 9.87 in 2025, nowhere near his electric 9.76 career best. Kenny Bednarek is consistent but hasn’t seized the spotlight.
Williams is rooting for Jordan Anthony while Waitzman says not yet. And with the USA Championships looming, this debate won’t stay on podcasts for long, it’s about to be settled on the track.
The question isn’t just who’s fastest anymore, it’s who’s ready for the big stage. Track fans won’t have to wait long to find out.
