The development of efficient breeding strategies that incorporate genomic selection (GS) in plant breeding programs is an active research field. Breeding schemes utilizing GS depends on several components like the crop species genetic variance for trait targets, field management and integrated platforms available (e.g., genotyping, phenotyping, and data management). Recent simulation studies propose implementing a two-part breeding strategy by differentiating between a population improvement and product development component. The population improvement component relies on recurrent selection in an early breeding generation using genomic-enabled breeding values (GEBVs). The product development component corresponds to regular breeding schemes for the development of inbred lines including GS, mainly at the 1st stage yield trails. To date, only one empirical study demonstrating the potential of GS to increase genetic gain in wheat at early breeding generations is reported. We present two proof-of-concept studies. Study 1 investigated increasing genetic gains for grain yield in wheat using early generation GS. Study 2 applied rapid-cycle recurrent selection that can shorten the breeding cycle while increasing the rate of genetic gain by choosing parents based on GEBVs. In study 1, GEBVs estimated for individual F2 plants showed significant positive correlations with the grain yield of the single plant F2:4 lines, with 4%-5% increases in grain yield over a 50× random sample. Results from Study 2 demonstrated that selection only based on GEBVs throughout recurrent cycles in biparental F1’s continuous increased grain yield. Both studies thus indicate positive trends on response to early generation GS.