A New Chapter for Millsaps Flag Football
Ka’ryn Henderson, a multi‑sport standout from Warren Central High School, announced her commitment to Millsaps College, where she will join the program’s first varsity flag football team set to debut in the spring of 2027.
The signing ceremony, held on the school’s campus, celebrated not only her athletic prowess but also her academic achievements, as Henderson graduates with a 3.6 grade point average and plans to pursue a kinesiology degree.
Henderson’s high school career spanned volleyball, basketball and track, where she earned All‑State honors and helped her team reach the state quarterfinals. On the track, she placed fourth in the 100‑meter dash and second in the 4×200‑meter relay, showcasing the speed that caught the eye of college scouts.
Coach Felicia Ellis, who will guide the new squad, recruited Henderson specifically for her quarterback abilities, intelligence and leadership. In her senior season Henderson threw for three touchdowns and rushed for five more, finishing with a 6‑1 record and a spot in the MHSAA state tournament.
Millsaps’ decision to add flag football reflects a growing national trend; the college is one of roughly one hundred NCAA members offering the sport and the only institution in Mississippi to do so. The program will field an inaugural recruiting class that includes Henderson and fellow Warren County standout Je’Keyla Curry, a linebacker from Vicksburg High.
The addition of the sport underscores the region’s expanding athletic landscape, with the college located in Jackson, Mississippi, a city that will host the team’s home games. The move also highlights the increasing opportunities for female athletes to compete at the collegiate level in emerging sports.