IMG Academy Standout Announces Decision To Jump To Pro Track

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Jaylen Slade, who broke Noah Lyles' national high school record in the indoor 200 meters and later qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials, has signed with adidas. 

Slade, who attends the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., announced his decision Thursday and will forgo not only his collegiate eligibility but also his final year of high school track. Slade is in the 2022 graduating class. 

"Just the opportunity to be able to go pro is mind-blowing," Slade said. "My family, (coach) Dwight (Thomas), and I took the time to just think about it and just being able to have the chance to go pro is a blessing!"

Slade ran 20.62 in the indoor 200 meters at the American Track League meet Feb. 21, which shaved .01 seconds off Lyles' 2016 high school record. 

Because IMG Academy is not part of the FHSAA, Slade ran in a mostly professional setting in the spring anyway. He ran wind-aided 100-meter times of 10.03 and 10.04 at the Pure Athletics Sprint Elite Meet on May 2, edging fellow high school star and new pro Erriyon Knighton in the finals. 

Slade's 10.03w was the fastest all-conditions time ever recorded for a junior class sprinter.

The same day, he also ran 20.20 wind-legal in the 200 – fifth all-time in prep history behind Knighton, Lyles, Michael Norman and Tyreek Hill. 

Knighton, who turned pro earlier in the spring, also signed with adidas. He will represent the U.S. in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics in the 200 meters. 

Middle distance runner Hobbs Kessler from Michigan also turned pro recently and signed with adidas. 

"It was a cool process and adidas showed so much love toward me," Slade said. "It is an honor to be able to be with the Three Stripes community. You have crazy talent all over the world who are with adidas and some upcoming too. But just to be beside some great and awesome people is just a blessing and I’m proud to be apart of it."