A Power 4 First
The University of Nebraska has made a bold move by becoming the first Power 4 institution to launch a collegiate flag football program, a venture overseen by former Ottawa University coach Liz Sowers.
Recruiting the Future
Sowers, who previously built a successful flag program at Ottawa, has already secured verbal commitments from a handful of elite high school prospects, signaling an aggressive recruitment strategy that could reshape the sport’s talent pipeline.
Among the early pledges is Ariana Akey, a quarterback from Highland Ranch, Colorado, who led her high school team to back‑to‑back state titles and earned an invitation to the women’s national team trials; she will join a roster that also features wide receivers Jaylani Palmer of Las Vegas, Emmi Merhi of Fort Lauderdale and Nia Ennis of Coconut Creek.
A 2028 Vision
The Cornhuskers have extended offers to additional younger athletes, including Makena Cook and Lacie Nemchick, while also welcoming collegiate transfers and club players, aiming to blend experience with fresh talent as they prepare for a 2028 debut.
The initiative aligns with the NCAA’s broader ambition to elevate flag football to a national championship sport, a goal that could eventually see the game played on the same stage as traditional football programs across the country.