Admitting that he “cried a little bit” while making the final decision to opt out of his scholarship at the University of Arkansas and sign a professional contract, two-time Jamaican national champion Jaydon Hibbert said he was nevertheless comfortable making what he described as a life-changing decision.

Hibbert, who signed on with German sports goods manufacturer Puma, announced the decision on his social media accounts on Thursday, taking many who had expected him to continue his domination of the NCAA competition for at least one more season by surprise.

After sweeping all before him in just one season in the NCAA and making a massive impact, Hibbert and his connections thought the time was ripe for the 19-year-old to shift his priorities.

“Yeah, I’m feeling really comfortable about my decision,” he said in a virtual press conference recently, “especially because I am still gonna be in classes, keeping me grounded in that sense.”

Hibbert, who left Kingston College at 17 years old after 11th Grade, with two full seasons of ISSA Champs eligibility left, said he wanted to be “like any other … just be a normal kid, even though I’m a pro athlete right now,” but said maybe, when he lines up for his first professional meet, that the act of going professional will finally sink in.

“I’m just so excited… I’m really, I’m just, I’m just happy,” added Hibbert.

The World Under-20 Championships record holder and youngest-ever male Bowerman Award winner said he decided to make the leap to the professional ranks primarily because he thought he had just about done as well as he would ever do in the college ranks.

“I just looked back at the season right and I, personally, I would say that even if I stayed back in school and competed for the Razorbacks, I didn’t know if I would be just as happy or excited to compete given that I accomplished everything, you know,” he explained. “I was still considering it but there was just this one thing, telling me that maybe you are ready for the next level. So I obviously expressed that feeling to Coach and he understood, and then we in turn weighed our options and now I am a professional.”

The decision process, according to Hibbert and his coach, Travis Geopfert, was basically “weighing the options” they had and making the right decisions.

“I’m really happy for Jaydon. [This is] obviously a terrific opportunity for him, and then I’m also appreciative and proud of him,” Geopfert said. “His communication with me through the process was, it was a big deal and something that I personally appreciate and then also, you know, proud in the fact that he is committed to his degree and finishing school and it’s just a really big deal.”

“You know, for a young man that just turned 19 years old, to have that big-picture mindset and the understanding and the appreciation for what an education can do for him for the rest of his life. I know it’s been instilled by his parents, and I know they support that very much, as well, and I’m just really excited for this young man. He’s got a great opportunity in life and he’s earned,” said Geopfert.

Hibbert added, “I think the biggest thing was weighing the options, especially knowing that Arkansas was by my side throughout the process.”

There was, as expected, no shortage of suitors for the youngster, who shared that his handlers were fielding a lot of requests from shoe companies, sponsors and agents.

“We had to narrow it down, obviously me and Coach, though, and mostly just weighing our options, you know: what the best deal was, and stuff like that. Coach said ‘Hey, Hibby, if it is not life-changing capacity, it doesn’t make sense’ and I really stood up to that, you know. I just really thank him for guiding me through this, but it was just mostly just weighing the options and that was tough, yes, but I think I made the right decision,” Hibbert said.

Geopfert pointed out that while Hibbert’s family did not need his blessing to make the decision, he was appreciative of the communication throughout.

“This isn’t this isn’t our first rodeo with athletes transitioning to the professional ranks and so with those experiences that we’ve had, we can help bring extra knowledge to the equation and, you know, some critical thinking and all of it, and I’m just I’m happy we were able to help Jaydon make a good decision,” Geopfert said.