Just months after Nebraska announced women’s flag football as its next varsity sport, the Huskers landed their first player. Ariana Akey, a quarterback from Colorado, committed to NU late last week. Her addition formally launches the construction of a roster that will begin playing ball in the spring of 2027.
Akey just finished a dominant season with the Mountain Vista High Golden Eagles and ranks among the top flag football players in the country. As the Cornhuskers become the first Power 4 program to fully sponsor women’s flag football, the match seems ideal. This move also launches Troy Dannen’s latest project in impressive fashion.
In a perfect 19-0 season, Ariana Akey put up incredible numbers. The first women’s flag football commit for Nebraska threw for 4,545 yards and 89 touchdowns. But her accomplishments went well beyond the high school level.
FIRST ONE LOCKED N 🔒
— Husker Flag Football (@HuskerFlagFB) April 13, 2026
Welcome to the Good Life, Ariana! pic.twitter.com/PpGrBIuhkJ
Ariana Akey becomes the first commit in Nebraska women’s flag football history
Akey, who was nominated as QB1 by the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 flag football committee, led the AFC squad in the NFL Flag Girls High School Showcase back in February. While the game wasn’t the offensive shootout many expected, the young quarterback’s poise and leadership shone through in the 7-6 victory.
The newest Nebraska signal caller found Kirsten Gudmalin on a short touchdown pass with 8:30 to go in the first half. Akey was 3-for-3 passing on the drive and had multiple long runs to get the AFC into scoring position. She also called her own number on the successful extra point attempt that ended up the game’s decisive play.
Akey showed off her ability to make plays with her arm and her feet late in the second half, while it looked like the AFC would score again, he rush fell just short, and the NFC managed a goal-line stand.
Ariana Akey will soon be letting Nebraska women’s flag football fans see just how talented she is. The spring of 2027 will be a kind of warm-up until the team starts playing for real in the 2028 season.