At just 18 years old, Harlyn Quinn Tomlin has already made waves in college gymnastics with a jaw-dropping 9.9 floor routine that caught national attention. The University of Georgia freshman, who goes by “Harley,” stepped into the spotlight not just as the daughter of Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, but as a talented gymnast carving her own path in the sport.
Who is Harlyn Quinn Tomlin?
Harlyn Quinn Tomlin is a freshman gymnast for the University of Georgia GymDogs who’s quickly becoming a name to watch in NCAA gymnastics. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she’s the daughter of NFL coach Mike Tomlin and has been training in gymnastics since a young age. Her college debut season has already showcased her potential with standout performances on beam and floor exercise.
What sets Harley apart isn’t just her famous last name—it’s her dedication to the sport and her ability to perform under pressure. She earned her spot on Georgia’s roster through years of hard work at the club level, where she competed as a Development Program Nationals qualifier and Region 7 All-Star. Her recruitment to one of the top gymnastics programs in the country speaks to her talent and work ethic.
The transition from high school to college gymnastics can be tough for any athlete, but Harley has handled it with grace. She’s managed to balance the expectations that come with being a coach’s daughter while establishing herself as a serious competitor in her own right.
Early Life in Pittsburgh
Growing up in Pittsburgh gave Harley a unique perspective on athletics and competition. With a father who’s been coaching in the NFL for decades, she understood from an early age what it takes to compete at the highest levels. The Tomlin family has always emphasized hard work and dedication, values that are clearly evident in Harley’s approach to gymnastics.
She attended Shady Side Academy, a prestigious preparatory school in Pittsburgh, where she balanced her academic responsibilities with intensive gymnastics training. The school’s supportive environment allowed her to excel in both areas while preparing for her future as a college athlete.
Her training took place primarily at Xquisite Gymnastics, a well-respected club in the Pittsburgh area. The facility became her second home, where she spent countless hours perfecting her routines and building the skills that would eventually catch the attention of college recruiters. The club’s coaching staff recognized her potential early and helped develop her into the athlete she is today.
Finding Gymnastics: Training & Early Wins
Harley’s gymnastics journey began like many young athletes—with natural ability that needed careful nurturing. Her coaches at Xquisite Gymnastics saw something special in her movement and quickly began developing her skills across all four events: vault, uneven bars, beam, and floor exercise.
Her breakthrough moments came through consistent performance at regional competitions. As a Region 7 All-Star, she proved she could compete with the best gymnasts in her area. This recognition opened doors to bigger competitions, including Development Program Nationals, where she qualified multiple times.
The Development Program serves as a pathway for gymnasts who want to compete at the college level. Harley’s success in this program showed college coaches that she had both the technical skills and mental toughness needed for NCAA competition. Her routines began to show the polish and consistency that top programs look for in recruits.
Training at the elite club level meant long hours and significant sacrifices. Harley learned to manage her time between school, training, and the social activities that most teenagers enjoy. This discipline would serve her well when she made the jump to college gymnastics.
The Recruit: Why UGA Signed Her
Georgia’s decision to recruit Harlyn Tomlin wasn’t just about her gymnastics ability—though that was certainly impressive. The GymDogs coaching staff saw an athlete who combined technical skill with the mental approach needed to succeed in the SEC, one of the most competitive gymnastics conferences in the country.
Her recruitment profile showed consistent scoring and improvement over her club career. College coaches pay attention to athletes who can deliver when it matters most, and Harley had proven that ability in regional and national competitions. Her four-star ranking reflected her potential to contribute immediately at the college level.
What made her especially attractive to Georgia was her versatility. She showed strong potential in multiple events, giving the coaching staff flexibility in lineup construction. In college gymnastics, athletes who can compete on three or four events are incredibly valuable to their teams.
The signing process culminated in November 2023, when Harley officially committed to the University of Georgia. For the GymDogs, adding a talent like Harley to their recruiting class represented another step in maintaining their status as one of the premier programs in college gymnastics.
College Debut & Early Performances
Harley’s transition to college competition began with her debut for the Georgia GymDogs in early 2025. The step up to NCAA competition can be challenging for any freshman, but she seemed to take it in stride. Her early performances suggested that she was ready for this level of competition.
Her standout moment came with a floor routine that scored 9.9, a mark that immediately caught the attention of gymnastics fans nationwide. The routine showcased not just her technical ability but also her performance quality and confidence under the bright lights of college competition.
In beam, another of her strongest events, she posted scores in the 9.8 range that helped solidify her position in Georgia’s lineup. These performances weren’t flukes—they represented the culmination of years of preparation and the natural progression of her gymnastics career.
Standout Scores & Clips
Her 9.9 floor routine became an instant hit on social media, with clips circulating widely among gymnastics fans. The routine highlighted her tumbling ability and artistic presentation, two elements that make her performances exciting to watch.
How Family & Dad Support Shape Her Story
Being the daughter of an NFL head coach brings unique challenges and advantages. Mike Tomlin’s experience in high-pressure situations has helped Harley understand how to handle expectations and media attention. His support has been evident throughout her gymnastics career, with social media posts showing his pride in her accomplishments.
The family has worked hard to ensure that Harley’s gymnastics career remains her own. While the Tomlin name opens doors, it also brings scrutiny that most college athletes don’t face. Harley has handled this attention maturely, focusing on her performance rather than the outside noise.
Mike Tomlin’s coaching philosophy emphasizes preparation and mental toughness, lessons that translate well to gymnastics. His “standard is the standard” mentality has influenced how Harley approaches her training and competition. She’s learned that success comes from consistent effort rather than relying on talent alone.
The family’s approach to balancing privacy with public life has served Harley well. They understand that her gymnastics achievements should stand on their own merit, not as extensions of her father’s football success.
Personality, Style & Off-Mat Life
Away from the gym, Harley presents herself as a typical college student who happens to be an elite athlete. Her social media presence shows someone who enjoys time with friends, appreciates good food, and has a sense of humor about the pressures of being a student-athlete.
Her gymnastics style combines power with elegance, particularly evident in her floor routines. She brings an energy to her performances that engages audiences and judges alike. This combination of athleticism and artistry has become her signature in college competition.
As a freshman at Georgia, she’s still finding her place within the team dynamic. Her teammates have welcomed her, and she’s shown the maturity to be both a contributor and a learner. The adjustment to college life, combined with the demands of SEC gymnastics, requires significant adaptation.
Her interests outside gymnastics include fashion, music, and spending time with family when she’s back home in Pittsburgh. She’s maintained connections with her high school friends while building new relationships in Athens, Georgia.
What Fans Want to Know Next
The remainder of Harley’s freshman season will be crucial for establishing her long-term trajectory in college gymnastics. Georgia fans are eager to see how she develops across all four events and whether she can become an all-around competitor for the GymDogs.
Her progress will likely be measured not just in scores but in consistency and leadership development. Freshman year is about learning, but her early performances suggest she’s ready to be more than just a contributor—she could become a star.
Social media followers can keep up with her journey through her Instagram account, where she shares glimpses of training, competition, and college life. Georgia’s gymnastics schedule provides regular opportunities to see her compete against some of the best teams in the country.
For gymnastics fans, Harley represents the next generation of college athletes who combine traditional training with modern performance concepts. Her story shows that with the right support system and work ethic, young athletes can successfully transition from club gymnastics to the highest levels of college competition.
The young gymnast from Pittsburgh has already proven she belongs on one of college gymnastics’ biggest stages. What happens next will determine whether she becomes simply a solid college performer or something more special. Based on her start at Georgia, the ceiling appears very high for Harlyn Quinn Tomlin.
