The University of Nebraska announced that it will field a varsity women’s flag football team for the 2027 spring season, moving up its original timeline and becoming the first school from the Power‑4 conference to sponsor the sport at the highest collegiate level.
Liz Sowers, who was appointed head coach in February 2026, just three weeks after the program’s inception, will guide the team, bringing a fresh strategic vision to a rapidly growing discipline.
Among the early signees is Ariana Akey, a standout recruit who earned MaxPreps Player of the Year honors for the 2025‑26 school year, highlighting the program’s appeal to elite talent.
The roster will also feature transfers London Jenkins and Nichelle Brown from Florida Gateway College, a program that captured four consecutive national championships, as well as wide receiver Rylen Bourguet, who arrives from Arizona State’s club team.
Additional players include sisters Anna Anderson, Jaida Bayron, Kailey Verhoeven and Marley Spielberg from NAIA’s Ottawa University, adding depth and experience to the squad.
Nebraska plans to open its 16‑game schedule on the road, a logistical choice that underscores the team’s inaugural status, while the Big 12 conference is exploring the possibility of adding flag football as early as 2028.
A New Competitive Landscape
The Big 12’s consideration of flag football reflects a broader ambition to diversify its sporting portfolio, mirroring the steps already taken by the conference’s western peers.